Manipur: Meitei Heritage Society condemns alleged sexual assault of Tripura student at Assam private university by Manipur students

The Meitei Heritage Society condemned alleged sexual assault of a student from Tripura at private university in Assam by students from Manipur.

A senior police officer in Assam said, “Two students at a private university in Assam have been detained after a girl student alleged, she was raped. The incident allegedly happened on September 13 night in Panikhaiti.”

Deputy Commissioner of Police (Central) in Guwahati Amitabh Basumatary told media persons. "During investigation, it was revealed that on the 13th night, one girl and five boy students had a party. The girl went to her room, and she was under intoxication. And when she got up in the morning, she realised that she was raped by one of her male friends.”


He added, "We identified the culprits and arrested two of them. Since they are minors, they have been produced before the Juvenile Justice Board in Kamrup Metro.”

The private university suspended the five students, all from neighbouring Manipur.

Tipra Motha leader Pradyot Bikram Manikya Debbarma stated in X, “A girl from Tripura was allegedly raped in Guwahati. I have spoken to the victim and offered all help to her. I appeal to everyone to not speculate and ensure that the identity of the girl is not revealed. We will ensure justice is given to the victim.”

Meitei Heritage Society in a statement stated, “The alleged perpetrators, students from Manipur, have not only committed a grave crime but have also brought shame to our state, long known for our tradition of respecting and empowering women. Targeting the modesty of a woman is an unforgivable act that needs exemplary action. Such violence acts against women has no place in our society”.

It added, “We all must confront the uncomfortable truth. Several similar cases have been reported during the ongoing crisis, adding to the pain and misery of the people limping back from the ongoing crisis. In some cases, they have been quietly hushed up under the guise of customary laws or settlements, while publicizing a few cases for propaganda to play the victim card. This silence, born out of misplaced fear and tradition, embolden perpetrators and deny justice to survivors. It is also highly condemnable that some people are communalising a criminal act by individuals to target a community. We must stop selective outrage and end this practice of weaponizing violence against women as a cheap tool for propaganda. We demand exemplary punishment for the culprits in this case, sending a clear message that such behaviour will never be tolerated”.