The 21st anniversary of Anti-Repression Day was observed today at Lamyanba Shanglen, Palace Compound, Imphal, commemorating the historic and unprecedented protest staged by twelve Manipuri women on July 15, 2004. The protest, in which the women undressed in front of Kangla Fort—then occupied by the Assam Rifles—holding a banner that read “Indian Army Rape Us Too,” was a powerful response to the custodial rape and brutal killing of Thangjam Manorama, whose mutilated body was found on July 11, 2004.
The twelve women who carried out the protest—Thokchom Ramani, Keisham Taruni, Yumlembam Mema, Chungkham Jamini, Lourembam Nganbi, Laishram Gyaneshwori, Moirangthem Sorojini, Angom Jibanmala, Haobam Tombi, the late Mutum Ibemhal, late Soibam Momon, and late Loitam Ibetombi—were remembered with reverence for their unparalleled courage and sacrifice in standing against military atrocities under the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 (AFSPA).
The commemoration was organised by the Observation Committee of Anti-Repression Day 2025. The event was graced by renowned rights activist RK Ranendrajit as chief guest, Khangenbam Anandi as president of the function, and cultural scholar YK Dhiren as guest of honour. Advocate Laishangbam Jadumani, advisor of the United People’s Front (UPF), Manipur, served as the main resource person.
In his address, Advocate Jadumani strongly criticized the prolonged imposition of the draconian AFSPA in Manipur, arguing that it has systematically violated the right to life and fundamental freedoms of the people. He said the impunity granted under the Act has enabled countless cases of abuse and state-sponsored violence.
During the function, Jeetendra Ningomba, president of the Committee of Civil Societies Kangleipak (CCSK), spoke on the broader context of human rights violations in the state since the controversial merger of Manipur into the Indian Union on 15 October 1949. He stressed the critical role of intellectuals in guiding the masses toward a collective struggle for justice and dignity.
Renu Takhellambam, president of the Extrajudicial Execution Victim Families Association, Manipur (EEVFAM), narrated the painful origin of the organisation, which was founded on 11 July 2009 in response to the spiralling cases of fake encounter killings in the state. She recounted how the association became the driving force behind the filing of a landmark petition at the Supreme Court of India in 2012, documenting 1,528 cases of suspected extrajudicial killings.
In her presidential address, Khangenbam Anandi recalled the series of massacres and atrocities committed in Manipur over the decades, naming the Heirangoithong Massacre, Malom Massacre, Tera Massacre, and Oinam Massacre among others. She recounted the horror of Manorama’s death, stating that personnel of the 17 Assam Rifles not only raped her but also mutilated her genitals by pumping multiple bullets before dumping her body. She further expressed concern over the current crisis in Manipur since 3 May 2023, warning that the ongoing violence and instability could lead to deeper fragmentation of the state unless urgent steps are taken to ensure justice and healing.
The event call to uphold the spirit of resistance embodied by the July 15 protestors, to demand the repeal of AFSPA, and to work towards a future based on justice, dignity, and peace for all communities in Manipur.