Anurag Kumar
New Delhi/Gawahati A mob captured on camera gang-raped two women who were stripped, paraded, and gang-raped; two young women attempting to make their way in the big city were murdered after being raped and murdered while pulling out of their rented accommodations; two young men were shot on video and their bodies were discarded in a ditch; and a mother and her seven-year-old son were murdered while pleading for mercy from an ambulance.
A perpetual cycle of ethnic violence between the Kukis and the Meiteis has engulfed Manipur for the past five months, dividing the state into two factions on account of its people, bureaucracy, geography, and even politics.
Notwithstanding the 178 fatalities among men and women and the 50,000 forced to flee, certain incidents have undoubtedly exemplified the atrocities in Manipur. Five months subsequent to the initiation of the violence on May 3, HT tracked down the families of four of these victims. To their dismay, they discovered that justice was proceeding at a snail’s pace, and in one instance, a husband was attempting to persuade his despondent wife that she was not responsible for the rape.
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is investigating 27 first information reports (FIRs), of which three are associated with the four cases under investigation.
“We do not disclose details regarding the progress of investigations, including the identities of individuals whose statements have been obtained throughout the course of a case.” A few individuals were apprehended by the state police in Manipur-related cases (those that were transferred to us) prior to the CBI assuming responsibility for 27 cases. In addition, four individuals were recently apprehended in relation to the July disappearance and fatalities of two students from Imphal, according to RC Joshi, a spokesperson for the agency.
Furore triggers action
A video surfaced on July 20, two months subsequent to the initial outbreak of violence, depicting a mob parade two women nude on May 4 in the village of B Phainom. Gang rapes were purportedly committed against the women, and one of the women’s fathers and brothers were murdered. The Manipur Police responded to the commotion by apprehending seven individuals; on July 29, the case was subsequently transferred to the CBI.
The spouse of one of the two women informed HT that their statements were repeatedly recorded and they were informed that the agency would file charges shortly. However, he expressed his disappointment that only seven individuals have been arrested thus far. “Manipur Police initially apprehended all of these as well.” Numerous individuals were implicated in the offense; however, no further arrests have been made. He stated, “We are awaiting the CBI charge sheet.”
Former army officer and Kargil War veteran of 64 years, the individual stated that he was awaiting justice.
“Having fought for my country, I have faith in the Constitution and the government.” With the CBI’s inaction, however, my faith is devastated. To be clear, CBI has been accommodating, meeting with us frequently, and conversing with us. We, however, seek justice.”
He is concurrently engaged in a second conflict to preserve the will of his wife to live.
“My spouse attempted suicide on multiple occasions, but I was able to prevent her. I have been assuring her that I would always stand by her side and that what transpired that day was not her responsibility. “God will ultimately punish those criminals,” he declared.
As stated by the mother of the second woman in the video, who is 21 years old, her family continues to reside in Churachandpur, where their residences remain hazardous.
“CBI officers claim to have apprehended the suspects; although a large number of individuals were involved, only seven have been taken into custody.” How did this come to be? The CBI provided us with photographs of the suspects via video call. They were present at the location, as confirmed, but what became of the others? “Those animals must be arrested,” she declared.
The mother stated that the remains of her husband and son were still awaited. “The CBI video called me on October 4 and requested that I identify the bodies in the mortuary (located in Imphal).” Officers from the CBI stated that they will assist us in retrieving the carcasses. “I desire both justice and the administration of their last rites,” she declared.
However, at least two of these families have been in contact with investigators on multiple occasions.
The relatives of a 24-year-old woman and her 21-year-old companion, who were both victims of rape and murder at the hands of a throng near the car wash center in Imphal on May 4, claimed to have received only one phone call from the CBI over the past five months.
“About two weeks ago, an individual professing to be from CBI called me. The individual informed me that the contact originated from Imphal and inquired about my daughter and the events preceding her demise. “A team was supposed to visit us in Kangpokpi to record our statements, but I have not heard from them and am still waiting,” said the father of the 24-year-old.
According to the family, the 21-year-old has not even received a single phone call.
Both families were awarded 10 lakh rupees in compensation by the state and central administrations last month, but they claim that justice is priceless.
“I demand justice for the death of my daughter.” Due to his failure to ensure their safety, the proprietor of the car wash center where my daughter and her companion worked ought to be arrested and punished. “I desire a prompt investigation and exemplary punishment for those responsible,” said the mother of the 21-year-old.
According to the families of both girls, their remains remain in the morgue of the Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences (JNIMS) in Imphal without their delivery.
Two months after the outbreak of hostilities, on July 4, Irengbam Chingkheinganba, age 24, and his friend Sagolshem Ngaleiba, age 31, fled their home in Sekmaijin Khunou.
The following day, a video surfaced depicting the torture and execution of the two Meitei men, purportedly at the hands of Kuki assailants. Their whereabouts remain unknown, and the CBI has not been provided with their case information. “Like other cases, we requested that the CBI be involved in ours; however, this has not yet occurred. “No one has been arrested, and the local police have not informed us,” Priyobrata, the younger sibling of Irengbam, stated.
The two men were allegedly abducted from Kanglatongbi, which is located approximately four kilometers north of Sekmai police station, and transported to the Kuki-dominated Kangpokpi district, where they perished, according to Manipur Police officials. “However, similar to the majority of other cases, the investigation has been impeded due to ethnic divisions on the ground,” a police official said while requesting anonymity.
Families await justice
The fourth family awaiting justice consists of Joshua Hangsing and his 55-year-old mother, who currently reside in a dilapidated rented dwelling in Kangpokpi. Tonsing, the youngest member of the family, was seven years old at the time. On June 4, he was traveling from an Assam Rifles camp in Kangchup Chingkhong village, Kangpokpi district, to the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) in Imphal with his mother Meena and a family acquaintance Lydia Lourembam. Tonsing, their progeny, had incurred a pellet-induced cranial injury.
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A mob, however, dragged the ambulance’s driver and male nurse, both Meiteis, from the vehicle and set it on fire, along with the two women and the infant, despite the presence of police security. Hours following the occurrence, the authorities discovered only bones within. The household reported receiving a single telephone call from the CBI. “About twenty days ago, CBI in Imphal contacted me. A person inquired about the case for thirty minutes while speaking with me. “Since then, there has been no communication, and we have no updates regarding the case’s development,” he explained.
Similar to others, Joshua’s sole desire is justice.
