Left-leaning organisations stage rail roko at Korukupet over Manipur violence

CHENNAI: Members of CPM affiliated Democratic Youth Federation of India, Students Federation of India, Tamil Nadu Untouchability Eradication Front and All India Democratic Women's Association staged a rail roko at Korukupet protesting against Manipur violence, where two women were paraded naked and raped in May this year.

After the protest, former CPM's Perambur MLA SK Mahendran said that the viral video of two women being paraded naked and raped is a great insult to the country and accused the BJP government at the centre and Manipur failed to end the violence.

"The video of two women which came out a few days back happened on May 4. For two months, the centre and the state government failed to act on the complaints of the women. One of the victim's husband served in Indian Army's Assam Rifle as a subedar. The incident has brought insult to the country globally," he said.

He said that one of the woman victim complained to the National Commission for Women on June 12 which in turn has written to the chief secretary of Manipur to take action but they did not act on it. "We demand the dismissal of the BJP government in Manipur and imposition of the President's rule to bring peace to the state. Also, action should be taken on the chief secretary and DGP for in action to control violence, " he demanded.

TNTJ blames PM for silence

Meanwhile, in Tiruchy, various organisations protested on the issue. At around 10 am, a group of 50 members from DYFI, AIDWA, Diffabled Welfare Association, and farmers’ unions who gathered in front of the head post office attempted to enter the office but the police prevented them and soon, they blocked vehicle movement and raised slogans against the Manipur State government and the Union government.

Meanwhile, members of Tamil Nadu Thowheed Jamath (TNTJ) assembled at the Palakkarai roundabout and spoke against the Manipur state government and Union government.

State Secretary Sengottai Faizal said that it was an intentional attack on the minority people in Manipur and charged that Prime Minister was a mere spectator despite being aware of the situation well in advance.

In the meantime, members of All India Makkal Marumalarchi Kazhagam attempted rail roko protest at the Junction railway station.

When they attempted to enter the station, the police who were on duty stopped them and arrested around 20 members.

Will present govt’s view in Parl: Rijiju

The Centre will present facts on the Manipur incident in the Parliament, Union Minister for Earth Sciences Kiren Rijiju said here on Saturday and declined to speak on the viral video that showed two women being paraded in the northeastern state.

Refusing to be drawn into any controversy over the May 4 incident that took place in Kangpokpi district, he indicated that it would be inappropriate to discuss the issue outside the Parliament.

“Whatever matters are to be discussed in the Parliament we will present our point of view. But right now, I can’t say anything outside on the matter,” Rijiju told reporters here when his comments on the issue were sought.

“I have come here (today) for the Rozgar Mela. I will not make any (other) comments,” the Union Minister further said. Manipur police have arrested a fifth person, aged around 19, in connection with the May 4 incident, officials said on Saturday.

The two women are alleged to have been sexually assaulted before being set free. A 26-second video of the horrific incident surfaced on Wednesday.

More than 160 people have lost their lives, and several have been injured since ethnic violence broke out in the state on May 3, when a ‘Tribal Solidarity March’ was organised in the hill districts to protest against the Meitei community’s demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status.

Meiteis account for about 53 per cent of Manipur’s population and live mostly in the Imphal Valley, while tribals, which include Nagas and Kukis, constitute 40 per cent and reside mostly in the hill districts.