In a letter, as part of the status report by the Manipur government, Commissioner (Home), T Ranjit Singh highlighted that many social media groups on different platforms engage in such partisan and divisive behaviour. All government departments have been instructed to submit a compliance report.

“It has been noticed that many formal and informal groups on social media platforms such as Facebook, WhatsApp, and other chat groups are engaged in furthering separatist, anti-national, anti-State, anti-social, communal and divisive agendas which cause disturbance in existing peaceful social harmony and law and order situation of the State,” read the letter.

The letter added that members of the groups pushed their respective agendas and that some officials were also “contributing, sharing and commenting” on the posts, in a manner unbecoming of a government employee.

It warned that engaging in such actions is in “contravention of Rules 5 and 7 or both of All India Services (Conduct) Rules, 1968, and Rules 5, 9, and 11 or all three of Central Civil Services (Conduct) Rules, 1964”, and such members are liable to face disciplinary action.

Scores of people holding placards were raising slogans demanding justice and hanging the culprits, who were involved in the instance of women from the Kuki-Zomi community being stripped, paraded and sexually assaulted in Manipur.

Meanwhile, the North East Students’ Organisation (NESO) also condemned the incident and said that such acts are outrageous, barbaric and inhumane which are unacceptable in a civilized society.

“The fact that these women have to endure the above ordeal and disgrace in the most despicable manner is enough to sent shivers down the spine of every right-thinking individual,” the students’ outfit said in a statement.

The NESO also said that in every conflict or riots, women and children are the most vulnerable and frequently preyed upon.

“Atrocities against helpless women and children including abusing their modesty and dignity at any time and even at war should never be condone and should be condemn by one and all,” it said, while demanding that all culprits involved in the senseless act should be arrested and stringent punishment should be meted out to them.

“The NESO once again urged the different indigenous communities in Manipur and in the entire North East to maintain peace and brotherhood so as to further strengthen the age-old relationship that had been developed over the generations,” it added.