Kartyk Venkatraman
Imphal, March 6, 2006: Even as the Naobi molestation issue plateaus into plans for organised statewide protests soon, the state government is now faced with the demand from tribal organisations to probe the alleged mass rape of 10 Hmar tribal girls by Valley-based militants in Parbung area of Churachandpur district in mid-January.
The incident, which is said to have taken place in Lungthulien village in the Tipaimukh division of Churachandpur district, is now being brought to the fore by hill-based civil society organisations, such as the All Tribal Students’ Union, Manipur.
The ATSUM is alleging that the incident is not being given enough importance by the state government, as the victims are tribals.
Adding their voices are the Kuki Students’ Organisation (KSO), Churachandpur-based women’s bodies, such as the Zomi Mothers’ Association, Hmar Women’s Association, Kuki Women’s Union and the Mizo People’s Convention (women’s wing).
These women’s groups have announced that they will be taking out a rally on March 8 to protest the rape by militants.
At the time of the rape incident, the area was under insurgent control and in the week that followed, counter-insurgency operations by security forces flushed the militants out of the area. Now, the area is under the control of security forces. Churachandpur district SP Lhari Dorje Lhato told The Indian Express today that a case was registered with Parbung police on February 1, almost two weeks after the incident is said to have taken place.
‘‘A combination of social stigma and fear had forced the girls to take refuge with relatives in Aizawl. They simply didn’t come forward. Now, my senior officers are in the village, but it is not known if the girls have returned to the village from Mizoram.’’
According to reports, a team of senior government officials, including the Churachandpur DC, had visited the village last month but were unable to meet the girls.
Source: The Indian Express