DCW Chief Swati Maliwal highlights distressing rape and murder incident in Manipur amid ongoing ethnic clashes

Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) chief Swati Maliwal brought attention to a distressing incident of rape and murder in Imphal, Manipur, amid the ongoing ethnic clashes in the region. Two sisters, aged 21 and 24, were college students and were working at a mall in Imphal. They were gang-raped and murdered during the strife, as revealed by the victims' brother during a conversation with Maliwal.

Maliwal shared a video of her meeting with the victims' brother in Kangpokpi, Manipur, expressing concern about the situation. The brother disclosed that neither any minister nor any state official had met their family. He reported that an FIR had been filed, but no arrests had been made yet. The victims' mother was living in a relief camp, and their father's health had deteriorated after the incident.

The DCW chief assured the brother that justice would be pursued, and the commission would provide legal assistance to the family. Maliwal expressed her condolences for their loss and pledged to support their pursuit of justice.

The incident came to light amidst reports of violence against women in Manipur, including a viral video showing two Kuki women being stripped and paraded by a mob, leading to nationwide outrage. The Supreme Court expressed its concern over the violence, describing it as of "unprecedented magnitude." The court raised questions about the delay in registering the FIR and expressed skepticism about the state police handling the matter, considering media reports suggesting police involvement in handing over the women to the rioting mob.

Ethnic violence has gripped Manipur since May 3 when a 'Tribal Solidarity March' was organized to protest against the majority Meitei community's demand for Scheduled Tribe status. The clashes have resulted in numerous fatalities and injuries in the state.