Land of rape?

Land of rape?

While Maibam Naobi Chanu alleges that she was molested by police, outraged women protests against rapes by UNLF cadres.
North East News Agency

It seems that ‘land of jewel’ is fast turning in to a ‘land of rape. While Maibam Naobi alleged that she was molested and tortured by police commandos, outraged women in Churachandpur took out protest rally against alleged rapes by UNLF cadres.

Manipur observed 18-hour general strike called by several organisations to protest against alleged molestation and ill-treatment of an arrested girl in custody by police commando personnel attached to the Thoubal district police. Maibam Naobi was picked up from the house of Khundrakpam Vikash Vikash, a PLA cadre died during an exchange of fire with a police commando team in Thoubal district as she went to his home to attend the funeral. The police commandos took her at different places and molested her for several hours on the first day of the arrest, claimed Naobi. She was also severely tortured. The commandos also allegedly forced her to take off all the clothes at gunpoint. The torture continued the following day, she alleged. The allegations that she was molested by the commando personnel kicked up an angry protest from several organisations.

The Joint Action Committee formed against Naobi’s arrest strongly condemned the police brutality in a meeting held in Imphal and demanded for immediate resignation of the O. Ibobi Singh led Secular Progressive Front ministry and punishment of those involved. Nabobi was released by Thoubal Chief Judicial Magistrate on grounds that the police could not substantiate the charges leveled against her.

Following the Nabobi incident, Manipur Government suspended five police commandos. The State Government has also decided to institute a Judicial Inquiry under the Commission of Inquiry Act, 1952 to inquire into the facts and circumstances leading to the detention of Naobi and the allegations that Naobi were sexually molested while in custody. Manipur Chief Minister Ibobi Singh said that the decision to institute a Judicial Inquiry instead of handing over the case of Naobi to the CBI was taken after considering a few points. The Chief Minister said that handing over the case to CBI would entail a long process and moreover there is no guarantee that the CBI will agree to take up the case. People also do not seem to trust the Magisterial Inquiry, and hence the decision to institute a Judicial Inquiry was taken, Ibobi Singh added. Meanwhile, report of the medical examination of Maibam Naobi has been submitted to the Manipur Human Rights Commission by RIMS Hospital authorities.

On the other hand, nearly 10,000 people took to the streets in Churachandpur in a massive public rally organised by the Joint Women‘s Organisation, (JWO) in protest against the mass rapes that are said to have taken place on January 16 night at Lungthulien village in Tipaimukh subdivision. JWO is a conglomerate of four women‘ organisations based in the district.

After congregating at Lamka public ground, people undertook a silent procession towards the DC‘s office and burnt the effigy of Chief Minister Ibobi Singh. It also submitted a memorandum to the Chief Minister.

Apart from the constituents of the Joint Women‘s Organisation, Churachandpur, including the Hmar Women Association, Zomi Mothers Association, Kuki Women Union and Mizo People‘s Convention, Women‘s Wing, the rally was participated by Kuki Women Welfare Association, Young Paite Association, Young Mizo Association, Young Vaihei Association, Simte Youth Organisation, Young Gangte Association, and Kuki Khangla Longpi.

The protestors carried banners that read, ‘The women‘s organisations want strong government to protect the lives of innocent civilians‘, and ‘The joint women strongly condemn the rape of Tipaimukh Hmar women by UNLF cadres‘, as well as placards that read, ‘Where is our govt? Don‘t hope 4 my vote ever‘, ‘UNLF go to hell‘, ‘Is CM deaf or dumb?‘ etc.

In its memorandum to the Chief Minister, JWO alleged that since the influx of UNLF and other non-tribal militants into Thanlon and Tipaimukh subdivisions, the entire areas have been mined with bombs, leading to deaths of eight persons and injury to nine others, including women and children. It said the militants controlled the village administrations by force, and used the village authorities to run their errands. For failing to meet their non-stop demands, villagers were often thrashed, it said.

Referring to the incidents of rape and atrocities by the insurgents, the memorandum stated that on January 6, 2006 at Parbung, the militants opened fire in the north corner of the village in the morning and two youths who rushed there to know what was happening were shot dead. It said that as the villagers were gathered in the church praying, the militants drove them out besides firing at random. A bomb was also exploded at the home of one Hrieta.

On January 11, the memorandum said, three public leadesrs from Lungthulien who went to Parbung were beaten black and blue on the grounds of suspicion.

Reiterating that not less than 21 women and girls were raped in the incident of January 16 at Lungthulien village, the representation said the militants took girls at gunpoint and took them to secluded places for rape. One girl was raped in front of her parents, it also claimed.

The memorandum said not less than 1000 villagers had fled their homes owing to the atrocities, observing that the entire area might have been deserted if not for the deployment of the security forces.

The memorandum demanded Rs. 5 lakhs as compensation packages for the girls apart from steps to ensure that the barbaric acts of the militants are not repeated in the future. It has also sought steps to clear the entire area of landmines.

Movement for Tribal Peoples Rights,Manipur (MTPRM) has strongly condemned the alleged rape incident of Hmar girls by UNLF and KCP cadres in a village in Churachandpur district.

The tribal rights body termed the incident as barbaric and inhuman and said that these deeds of the underground groups were not revolutionary in nature.

Meanwhile, agreeing to the need for a comprehensive inquiry into the recent reports of massive human rights violations and atrocities against civilians by the undergrounds in Tipaimukh area, O Ibobi Singh has assured no one found involved in such heinous crimes will be spared, be it members of the law-enforcing agencies or the underground groups.

The matter was raised as a calling attention motion, which was later converted into a short duration discussion considering the gravity of the situation. O Joy Singh drew the attention of the State Government to the need to initiate a timely and comprehensive inquiry to probe into the incident. B. D. Behring blamed the State Government. Dr Nimaichand Luwang, noting the Tipaimukh incidents have become a national issue. N Biren observed that reports of atrocities in Tipaimukh area by the militants have created a picture of oppression of a minority by majority people. T. N. Haokip said the reported crimes should not be taken as a simple violation of human rights, but as a crime against humanity.

According to Chief minister deterioration of the situation in the said areasarose after the breakdown of cordial relations between HPC (D) and non-tribal UG groups operating in the area since November last year, and actual violation of human rights occurred after clashes erupted between the UG groups, resulting in killing of two Hmars, including one HPC(D) cadre and injuring four others in January this year.