Amid massive outrage over the viral video of women being paraded naked in Manipur, Delhi Women's Commission chief Swati Maliwal has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking urgent steps to curb violence, strongest action against men in the video and permission to visit the state to meet the survivors, their families and other women.
"As a woman, I find myself deeply disturbed and anguished after witnessing the distressing video that has surfaced from Manipur, capturing the heinous act of violence against two women. The brutality and depravity displayed in the video have left me unable to sleep at night, haunted by the trauma of such an appalling crime against women," she said in her letter.
Expressing concern over the issue, she said, "It is disheartening to learn that despite the registration of an FIR, justice has not been served to the victims of this heinous crime. The fact that such an incident could occur, and the perpetrators remain at large for over two and a half months, is a grave reflection of the urgent need for action and justice in the state."
The DCW chief also lashed out at the Centre and questioned their silence for so long. She wrote, "The silence and inaction of the Union Government for the past three months in condemning the ongoing Manipur violence and taking steps to curb it is deeply troubling. It is the duty of the Centre to provide assurance and a sense of security to the people of Manipur in their worst time of need. I implore your Hon’ble self to immediately take urgent steps to curb violence in Manipur and protect the dignity and safety of all its citizens."
She requested the Prime Minister's intervention in the matter to ensure that the local authorities expedite the process of apprehending all the culprits.
"Strongest action needs to be also taken against the erring police officers who failed to act swiftly in the matter. The passage of over two and a half months without any arrests is inexcusable and requires immediate corrective measures," she said.