Correspondent
Guwahati, July 24, 2023: A peaceful rally led by women outside the Imphal residence of Union Minister R K Ranjan Singh took a disturbing turn as protestors turned to violence, pelting stones at the house. The demonstrators were urging the minister to address the ongoing ethnic tensions in the strife-affected state during the Parliament session.
This marks the second attack on the junior minister for external affairs' residence in the past two months. Fortunately, no one was present in the house at the time, and the damage caused was minimal.
In a separate part of the city, students from Manipur University also took to the streets in another rally, calling for the restoration of peace in the state. However, the police intervened and used tear gas shells to disperse the students when they tried to extend the rally beyond the permitted area.
These events occurred in the wake of a distressing video surfacing on July 19. The video showed two women being paraded naked and molested by a group of men in the Kangpokpi district on May 4. The appalling video has sparked nationwide condemnation and has drawn attention to the precarious situation in Manipur.
The series of protests highlights the pressing need for peace and accountability in the state. The protestors are voicing their concerns over the ongoing ethnic conflicts, urging the government to take concrete steps to address the issues.
Ethnic strife has been a longstanding concern in Manipur, and incidents like the one shown in the video have heightened tensions in the region. The situation calls for immediate attention from authorities and a comprehensive approach to address the underlying causes of the unrest.