Manipur: Teachers, Farmers' Bodies Call for Biren Singh’s Resignation for Failure to Check Violence

New Delhi: Condemnation for sexual violence against women in Manipur poured in from teachers and farmers' bodies on Thursday, who sought the active intervention of state and Union governments in ending the conflict in the northeastern state. The bodies alleged that the Centre turned a blind eye to ethnic violence, which left thousands homeless.

A video of two Kuki women being stripped naked and paraded went viral in which men holding AK-47s could be seen clearly. The father and brothers of the women were allegedly shot dead in the Churachandpur district in Manipur.

The All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS), one of the biggest farmers' organisations in the country, has called for a nationwide protest on July 25 to oppose the apathy of the Narendra Modi-led Union government in dealing with Chief Minister N Biren Singh, who is accused of harbouring hatred for other tribal groups.

Vijoo Krishnan, general secretary, AIKS, said such brutal incidents cannot be tolerated in a civil society where the rule of law is supposed to exist. He said, “Law and order has totally collapsed, and there is total anarchy. The Biren Singh administration and the police have been accused of playing a biased role, and such inaction only strengthens such an opinion. We demand that he to resign forthwith to restore peace and harmony in Manipur.”

Krishnan accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of maintaining a “criminal silence” from May 4, when the incident was first reported. He added, “Modi did not meet the Manipuri delegation, including a former Chief Minister and leaders of 10 political parties belonging to the Opposition. They were forced to return after waiting in Delhi for almost 15 days. He is responsible for the delayed intervention of the Centre and failure to control the violence.”

Krishnan went on to add, “We are of the clear opinion that Narendra Modi has lost the moral authority to remain as the Prime Minister of India as he has failed to ensure the prevalence of the rule of law and defend the rights guaranteed by the Indian constitution.”

He said AIKS, with fraternal organisations Centre of Indian Trade Unions and All India Agricultural Workers Union would protest across the county on July 25 at district and block headquarters.

The Federation of Central Universities Teachers Associations (FEDCUTA) too condemned the inaction. It said the studies of students after summer break had been badly hit due to the internet shutdown and lack of safe transport.

D K Lobiyal, president, FEDCUTA ,said that inaction of the state and the Central governments, even after two months of such violence, was leading to extensive damage to the social fabric of the Manipuri society and is likely to bring life-long trauma to all groups, particularly women, children, and minorities.

“The loss of lives and livelihoods that have occurred in the state clearly indicates a palpable administrative and political failure. Breaking an armed conflict and its escalation to such a grim situation within weeks in a border state like Manipur is practically impossible without the knowledge of either the State or the Centre. It was expected that the government would take adequate measures to address it, but their inaction has forced the Supreme Court of India to take a suo motu cognisance,” he added.

Lobiyal further said that Manipuri society had always been very resilient. When the government has simply abrogated its responsibility, it is extremely important that the people come forward and help in this process.

Earlier in the day, women’s organisations protested in front of Manipur Bhawan in Delhi and raised slogans like “Suspend Biren Singh Government” and “Justice to rape victims”. Mariam Dhawale, general secretary of All India Democratic Women Association, told NewsClick, “The incident shows that the slogan of Beti Bachao Beti Padho is hollow when women in conflict areas are being stripped and paraded. PM Modi maintained silence even when the entire nation was appealing to him for intervention,” she added.