Civil Rights Activist Irom Sharmila Condemns Horrendous Incident in Manipur and Blames Government Neglect
Imphal: In a shocking incident amid prolonged ethnic clashes between the Meiteis and Kuki communities in Manipur, two women were paraded naked, sparking widespread outrage. Renowned civil rights activist, Irom Sharmila Chanu, expressed her deep sorrow and sadness over the incident and criticized the government's inaction, saying it could have been prevented if they had intervened at the right time.
Speaking to NDTV, Sharmila stated, "I feel numb and disturbed" about the inhuman incident. She emphasized that it should not be seen as a conflict between specific communities but rather as a grave violation of human rights that demands justice. Sharmila firmly believes that the culprits should be punished with life imprisonment without parole.
In an opinionated article published in The Indian Express, Sharmila shed light on the plight of women in Manipur, describing them as being treated like the state's property. Drawing from her own experience during the 16-year hunger strike against the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA), she expressed how she was reduced to a mere symbol and not seen as an individual with her own rights. Sharmila passionately explained, "The attitude towards women needs to change; they are not commodities but equal citizens deserving of respect and dignity."
Blaming the central government's complacency towards the Northeast, Sharmila pointed out that successive governments have neglected Manipur and failed to address the longstanding conflicts between communities. She urged the authorities to treat immigrants from Myanmar with humanity and compassion, acknowledging that they sought refuge in Manipur to escape violence and oppression in their homeland.
As the nation grapples with the appalling incident, Irom Sharmila's words serve as a powerful reminder of the urgent need for societal change, government intervention, and empathy towards all citizens, regardless of their background or ethnicity.
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