The unrest in Manipur surrounding the demand for Scheduled Tribe status has led to a tragic toll of 180 lives thus far. The altercation between the Meitei and Kuki communities on May 3 sparked subsequent violent outbreaks, revealing a series of heinous acts ranging from arson to sexual assaults. This issue reached the Supreme Court’s hearing on Monday (November 20).
During the hearing, the Manipur government informed the Supreme Court about allocating a sum of 5 crore rupees to assist women affected by crimes, including sexual violence, since May 3. The state government stated that this fund has been transferred to a dedicated bank account to facilitate aid to the victims. However, details regarding the number of women who have received this assistance remain undisclosed.
Financial aid ranging from 5 to 10 lakhs is being provided to women affected by the Manipur violence. Those who have succumbed to the violence or have been victims of group assault are eligible for compensation ranging from 5 to 10 lakhs. Additionally, the state government has transferred a sum varying from 1 to 9 lakhs to bank accounts of women injured in the violence.
Since the eruption of violence post-May 3, Manipur has witnessed the demise of 180 individuals. In August, the Manipur government informed the Supreme Court about the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) examining 20 cases involving crimes against women, including rape, harassment, and murder. The state government mentioned providing financial aid ranging from 5 to 10 lakhs to affected women as directed by the Supreme Court, initiating this assistance scheme.
During the Manipur violence, a video of two women being stripped and paraded in a village went viral. The video showcased a crowd of thousands, some wielding weapons. This incident occurred on May 4 in Thoubal district of Manipur, referred to as the Maitei-dominated area. An FIR was filed on June 21 following the circulation of the video, approximately one and a half months after the complaint was lodged with the police on May 18.
On the day of the incident, an unruly mob attacked the village, coercing women to undress. The police registered a case of kidnapping, gang rape, and murder against unidentified armed criminals at the Nongpok Sekmai police station. The CBI implicated six individuals as primary suspects in this incident involving women.
