Manipur data mask scale of crimes against women in 2023, Pg7

Key Highlights:

• Ethnic conflict between the Meitei and Kuki communities in Manipur escalated in May 2023, leading to widespread violence.
• The Supreme Court noted a "systemic" sexual violence against women in Manipur in July 2023.
• NCRB data for 2023 indicates a surge in overall crimes like arson (6,203 cases), dacoity (1,213 cases), and rioting (5,421 cases).
• Contrary to reports, NCRB data shows a 30% decline in cognizable crimes against women in Manipur in 2023.
• Rape cases decreased from 42 in 2022 to 27 in 2023, raising concerns about underreporting.

Detailed Insights:

• The conflict has resulted in hundreds of deaths and displaced approximately 70,000 people, exacerbating social instability.
• Despite the NCRB data, reports and statements from legislators and organizations indicate numerous incidents of gendered violence.
• The National Commission for Women received appeals regarding harassment and violence against women, highlighting discrepancies in official data.
• Underreporting of crimes against women is a known issue in India, but the Manipur situation underscores the severity of the problem due to social stigma.
• The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012 (POCSO) cases saw a slight decrease, but the overall context suggests a need for better data collection.
• The surge in crimes like arson, dacoity and rioting indicates a breakdown of law and order during the conflict period.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Ethnic Conflict: A violent struggle between two or more ethnic groups within a society.
• Underreporting: The failure to accurately report the full extent of criminal activities.
• Gendered Violence: Violence directed against individuals based on their gender.