Manipur Violence: Indian Americans hold protests in 3 US states
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Washington: Indian Americans and allies held protests in the US to condemn the ongoing ethnic violence in Manipur that left hundreds of people dead and thousands displaced.
The protests, which took place in the states of California, New Jersey, and Massachusetts, were a response to a horrific video last week, showing two young tribal women being paraded naked while being molested by a group of men in the violence-hit state.
In the state of California, the protest held on the steps of Oakland City Hall was organized by several advocacy groups, including the North American Manipur Tribal Association (NAMTA), Indian American Muslim Council (IAMC), and Ambedkar King Study Circle.
“They chased us out of our homes. They burned our homes, our properties. They looted, they killed, they raped, they immolated, they beheaded, they’ve left us broken and everything we own reduced to ashes,” said Niang Hangzo, founding member of NAMTA.
In New Jersey’s Iselin, IAMC organized a protest and candlelight vigil attended by people from diverse faith and ethnic backgrounds, including members of local churches, NAMTA, and the National Association of Asian Indian Christians.
“If those two women could be dragged and paraded, it could happen to any other woman, no matter what religion,” said Pastor Prem Kankanala, representing the United Telugu Christ Church.
“Let us be united and raise our voices to protect women and to protect minorities,” he added.
In Boston, Massachusetts, several Indian-Americans and allies came together to express solidarity with the victims, urging President Joe Biden's administration to intervene and call on Prime Minister Narendra Modi to halt the escalating violence in Manipur.
Following the protests, a senior Biden administration official said on Tuesday that the US is "shocked and horrified by the video of an extreme attack on two women in Manipur".
The violence erupted on May 3 after the Kuki-Zomi community protested against the Meitei demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status.
With inputs from IANS