Imphal (Agency): Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) chairperson, Swati Maliwal, has called for the resignation of Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh, questioning his absence when she could meet with the victims shown in the viral video. Maliwal, who is currently in Manipur, revealed that the families of the two women, who were subjected to stripping and parading, informed her that no government representative had met them.
Appealing to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and Union Women and Child Development Minister Smriti Irani, Maliwal emphasized the urgency of their visit to Manipur. She expressed her concerns about the state’s current situation and stated that immediate action was necessary to save Manipur from further crisis.
Maliwal’s visit to Churachandpur and relief camps revealed the poor conditions of the facilities. The viral video, showing two women being paraded naked by a mob on May 4, reignited national attention on Manipur, which has been grappling with violence for almost three months. The unrest was triggered on May 3 by a ‘Tribal Solidarity March’ protesting the Meitei community’s demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status.
Manipur’s population consists of approximately 53 percent Meiteis, mainly residing in the Imphal Valley, and 40 percent tribals, including Nagas and Kukis, residing in the hill districts.
The absence of government officials meeting with the victims in the viral video has raised concerns and prompted Maliwal to call for accountability and the CM’s resignation.