A victim of a gangrape during the 2023 ethnic conflict in Manipur, died on January 10 due to a prolonged illness linked to her injuries. 

Kim*, who was 20, passed away in Singhat, Manipur, never having fully recovered from the trauma inflicted during her abduction and sexual assault nearly three years ago.

Her case was first highlighted in a complaint to the National Commission for Women (NCW) by two women and a US-based association representing the hill tribes of Manipur – the North American Manipur Tribal Association. 

The June 12, 2023 complaint listed six incidents of sexual violence against Kuki-Zo tribal women, including the account of the then-18-year-old.

The NCW received it 38 days before the country was jolted by the viral video of a mob parading and assaulting two naked Kuki women, one of whom was also a subject of that June 12 complaint. 

While that video eventually forced the national media to look at the horrors unfolding in Manipur, Kim suffered in the shadows.

In July 2023, she gave her statement to the Manipur Police, a Zero FIR was filed and her case was transferred to the CBI on July 22, 2023. But more than two years after the horrific incident, no arrests have been made. 

‘She lived in constant fear’

Speaking to Newslaundry, her mother, Lhingnei Haokip, 48, said that because of her physical injuries, Kim also developed breathing problems. 

“My daughter was a very lively and outgoing girl before she was subjected to this horrifying brutality. She wasn’t really interested in academics,........

© newslaundry