Jakarta, IO – Riots broke out in the state capital of Manipur, India, after two women were paraded naked and then allegedly raped. Violence erupted when thousands of people staged a demonstration by blocking major roads on Saturday (22/7).
India Today reported that the demonstration began to heat up when the demonstrators, who were dominated by women, shouted anti-government slogans.
The situation became more tense when the demonstrators set tires alight at the site. Local police personnel tried to control the situation by extinguishing the fire and lobbed tear gas to disperse the crowd.
Previously, a shocking video showing two women from the Kuki ethnic minority being paraded naked and allegedly raped by mob from majority Meitei tribal community went viral. The video drew widespread public condemnation.
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It occurred in the outset of inter-ethnic conflict in Manipur state in May. So far six suspects have been named arrested. The mass protest was carried out in Churachandpur, a city 65 kilometers south of the state capital Imphal.
Apart from demanding the arrest of those involved, the 15,000-strong protesters also called for the resignation of Biren Singh, the state’s chief minister. (un)