In a shocking incident that took place six months ago in Manipur, India, two women from the Kuki-Zomi community were stripped, paraded naked, and allegedly gang-raped by a mob from the Meitei community. Their ordeal was captured in a viral video that shook the nation and sparked outrage. Today, these brave women speak exclusively to the BBC about their lives in hiding, their fight for justice, and their demand for a separate administration for their community.
Glory and Mercy, the pseudonyms used to protect their identities, recount the horrors they experienced that day. The video showed a mob of men surrounding them, pushing, groping, and dragging them into a field where they were gang-raped. The trauma of the incident itself was devastating, but the video going viral added further humiliation and despair. Glory admits that she almost lost all hope after the video was widely shared. Indian society’s judgement on women who have experienced such violence made it even harder for them to face the world.
Since the incident, both women have been living in hiding, confined to the walls of their temporary homes. Glory, once a student, and Mercy, a mother of two, have had to give up their normal lives. Mercy opens up about the shame and fear she feels, unable to step out of the house or face people from her own community. The victims have undergone counseling, which has helped to some extent, but the anger and hate have seeped deep within them.
Their ordeal not only showcased the injustice they faced but also highlighted the ethnic clashes between the Meitei and Kuki communities. Manipur saw violent clashes between these two communities in May, and the video served as evidence of the underlying tensions. However, the attention and scrutiny that followed also forced the women to retreat further into hiding.
Glory and Mercy express their deep resentment towards the Meitei community, stating that they never want to interact with them again. Glory recounts how her father and younger brother were killed in the mob attack, while she helplessly watched. The violence has divided the two communities, with a de facto border separating them and manned by security forces. The emotional toll on the victims is evident, as they cannot even locate the bodies of their deceased family members.
The women finally filed a police complaint two weeks after the incident, but no action was taken until the video went viral. The widespread outrage led to the suspension of the officer in charge and four others pending an inquiry. The Prime Minister’s attention was also drawn to the issue, and seven men have been arrested and charged with gang rape and murder. The victims draw strength from the support they receive from around the country. The video served as proof of their suffering and helped the public understand their pain.
Glory and Mercy firmly believe that their community needs a separate administration to live safely and peacefully. This demand has been controversial, with opposition from the Meitei community and the state’s chief minister, N Biren Singh, advocating for a unified Manipur. The victims express their lack of faith in the state government and accuse it of bias against their community. The Supreme Court has taken note of the ethnic clashes and recommended that independent federal investigative agencies handle all cases of violence. They also emphasize the importance of teaching children to respect women and preventing such incidents from happening in the future.
Looking ahead, Glory hopes to resume her studies and pursue a career in the army or police force. She aims to work for everyone in an unbiased manner and seek justice at all costs. Mercy, on the other hand, highlights the strength of tribal women and their resilience. As we conclude the interview, she sends out a powerful message to all mothers, urging them to teach their children to never disrespect women.
The incident in Manipur has not only exposed the horrors faced by these two women but also shed light on the deep-rooted ethnic tensions in the region. It is a wake-up call for society to address issues of violence against women and the need for a more inclusive and unbiased administration. The victims’ fight for justice and their demand for change should serve as a rallying cry for a safer and more equal society.
