Itanagar: A candlelight march was taken out in Itanagar on Thursday by the Arunachal Pradesh Women’s Welfare Society (APWWS) in solidarity with people of violence-hit Manipur and the Kuki-Zo women survivors of rape and sexual assault.
Holding placards, and banners with slogans like ‘Dear sisters of Manipur we are with you’, ‘Justice for Manipur victims’, etc, hundreds of women and girls voluntarily joined the candlelight rally that started from Akashdeep shopping complex and culminated at IG Park tennis court here. They demanded justice for the victims and capital punishment for the rapists and appealed to the Central government to restore peace and tranquillity in the strife-torn Manipur.
Similar rallies were organised by the APWWS’ branches in Tuting, Yingkiong, Ziro, Likabali, Daporijo, Dumporijo, Miao, Anini, Koloriang, Aalo, Mechukha, Sagalee, Namsai, Hayuliang and Seijosa.
The main demand of the APWWS is the immediate arrest of all the people who paraded two Kuki-Zo women naked and sexually assaulted them. The horrific crime was committed at B Phainom village in Kangpokpi district on May 4 after the villages of the two women were burnt down.
At the Itanagar rally, APWWS president Kani Nada Maling sought immediate arrest of all those involved in rape and sexual assault on women. She questioned the Centre and Manipur government on the delay in responding to the crisis in Manipur.
Maling accused the Manipur govt of being complicit for taking two months to take note of the horrific violence inflicted on two tribal women. She also questioned the National Commission for Women and Manipur State Commission for Women for their silence.
Demanding early arrest of all those involved as the faces are clearly visible in the horrific video that was circulated, the APWWS said that the perpetrators of sexual violence must be brought to justice.
The rally in Itanagar was joined by Puroik Women Society, Tangsa Women’s Welfare Society, Galo Women Welfare Society, Karlo Dune Welfare Society, Kargu Kardi Women Welfare Society, Lodu Women Welfare Society, Adi Baane Ane Kebang, Nyishi Nyem Acham, Apatani Women Welfare Society, Tagin Women Welfare Association, Tagin Cultural Society, and Kunu Yami Dune Welfare Society.
Meanwhile, the whole Yingkiong town in Upper Siang district echoed with slogans of solidarity, demanding justice for daughters of Manipur and exemplary punishment to culprits as a large number of people including members of One Stop Centre, ABAK, and women and girls from all walks of life joined a peaceful rally organized by the APWWS Upper Siang district unit.
