RANCHI: In a powerful display of solidarity and condemnation, hundreds of people from the Christian community formed a 4 km-long human chain in Ranchi, the capital city of the Indian state of Jharkhand, on Sunday to protest against the recent incident of women being paraded naked in Manipur, a region plagued by ethnic strife.
The protesters braved the rain as they gathered at Ranchi’s Sujata Chowk and concluded their demonstration near Kantatoli Chowk, holding posters and banners demanding justice for the victims and action against those responsible for the heinous act.
The human chain protest, organized by the Jharkhand Youth Christian Association (JYCA), sent a strong message to both the central and state governments, urging them to restore peace in Manipur and address the crime against women in the region. At the St. Mary’s Cathedral on Ranchi’s Purulia Road, bishops of churches also participated in a special prayer, seeking healing for the wounds of the people in Manipur and a return to peace.
Outrage in India Over Manipur Incident
The incident that triggered the protests occurred on May 4 when a video emerged showing two women being paraded naked by a mob in the hills of Manipur, escalating tensions in the already strife-torn region. Since then, authorities have arrested six individuals allegedly involved in the incident, while efforts are underway to apprehend the remaining culprits through raids at suspected hideouts.
Women workers of the Jharkhand Congress also staged protests in all five divisions of the state on Sunday, expressing their concern over the issue. Dipika Pandey Singh, the Mahagama legislator, criticized the central government for its silence on the Manipur issue and demanded a discussion in Parliament.
Ethnic violence has been plaguing Manipur since May 3, with more than 160 lives lost and several others injured in the ongoing conflict. The violence erupted when a ‘Tribal Solidarity March’ was organized in the hill districts of Manipur to protest against the majority Meitei community’s demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status. The Meiteis constitute about 53% of the population and primarily reside in the Imphal valley, while tribals, including Nagas and Kukis, make up 40% and reside mainly in the hill districts.
As the protests continue to highlight the gravity of the situation in Manipur, the call for justice and peace resonates strongly among the demonstrators in Ranchi, standing in solidarity with the affected communities in the strife-torn region.
