Accept accountability, step down, PM told

Umar Sharieef | NT

Bengaluru: The gathering of activists, students, the public and religious priests at Puttanna Chetty Town Hall to express solidarity with the victims and demand accountability from the Chief Minister of Manipur, N Biren Singh, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi reflects the seriousness of the situation and the public's concern for the safety of women in the north-eastern state.

The incident, where mobs allegedly from the Meiti community made two Kuki women strip off their clothes, paraded them naked, and gang-raped them, is extremely disturbing and has rightly sparked outrage among the public.

The complete Internet shutdown in the state may have delayed the news from reaching the wider public, adding to the frustration and anger of the people.

The protesters' demand for the chief minister and the prime minister to step down in light of the violence and their dissatisfaction with the government's response to the situation illustrate the depth of their discontent.

The protesters also brought attention to the issue of Internet bans, which can further limit information flow and communication during times of crisis.

“As we stand in solidarity with the people of Manipur and support their right to protest peacefully, it's essential to remember the importance of holding those responsible for such acts of violence accountable and ensuring that measures are taken to protect women's safety and rights in the region,” a protester told News Trail.

He said the authorities must conduct a thorough investigation into the incident, bring the perpetrators to justice, and implement measures to prevent such heinous acts from happening again.

It is crucial for the government to engage with the concerns of its citizens and take appropriate actions to restore trust and ensure the safety and well-being of all residents in Manipur. The protesters displaced placards, asking the authorities to lift the Internet ban in the state.

‘Mourning with Manipur’, ‘My body is not your battleground’, ‘Speak up for Manipur’ read some of the placards.

Statement of the CM that they have launched a statewide condemnation over the horrific incident is finding no takers among the protesters.

“It was because of the inability of the state government that the state is in the situation it is, and the CM saying that protests against the violence have tarnished the image of the state is unacceptable when more than 150 were killed and women raped. He must step down immediately”, another protester said.