UNITED KINGDOM: In an emphatic display of solidarity, a silent protest march took place in London to condemn the recent spate of violence in Manipur, organized by the Women of North East India Support Network (WNESN). The group, comprising both men and women donning face masks to symbolize silence, gathered outside the Indian High Commission. With poignant placards in hand, the protesters proceeded towards Parliament Square, culminating their march at the statue of Mahatma Gandhi, located opposite the House of Parliament complex.
The reason behind this solemn demonstration was to express empathy and anguish for two Kuki-Zo sisters from Manipur who were subjected to a horrifying ordeal of public humiliation and gang rape. In a heartfelt statement, WNESN voiced their determination to stand together and share the pain endured by these victims.
The formation of the Women of North East India Support Network dates back to 2020, during the height of the pandemic, as an initiative to create a community-based support system for women.
The triggering incident that led to this protest was a distressing video from Manipur depicting the appalling sight of two tribal women being paraded naked, igniting shock and outrage among many. Responding promptly to the gravity of the situation, a senior government official in New Delhi announced that the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) would investigate the case of sexual assault on the Manipuri women, vowing to pursue justice relentlessly and take stringent action against the perpetrators of all such heinous crimes in the state, which has been plagued by ethnic violence.
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