Manipuri actress molested while hosting an event, artistes call for shutdown

Imphal: In Manipur film and theatre artistes have called for a bandh protesting the alleged assault by an NSCN-IM cadre on an actress. Nearly five days since a Manipuri actress was allegedly repeatedly assaulted by a cadre of the NSCN-IM no arrests have been made yet. The actress claims the incident took place while she was hosting an event in Chandel district and security personnel from the Manipur Police and Assam Rifles just stood by and watched.

"I feel very humiliated. I never thought they will do this to me," the actress said. Other artistes at the event say they were too stunned to react initially. Singer Prakash kept a bullet fired by the accused who was allegedly in a drunken state.

"I request the government of India and the government of Manipur to please take strict action," Prakash said. The artistes community in the state is furious and many of them clashed with policemen during a protest rally.

The actress claims that as she was being assaulted, the men of Manipur Police and Assam Rifles just stood by and watched.

The NSCN-IM is yet to respond to the charges and artistes say they will continue a sit-in protest until the accused is arrested.

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