Manipur: The state of Manipur has been engulfed in uproar following the circulation of a viral video showing two young women being publicly paraded naked on the road. The Indigenous Tribal Leaders Forum (ITLF) reported that the incident occurred on May 4, and it escalated from caste violence. Shockingly, the ITLF claimed that both victims belong to the Kuki community and were further subjected to gang rape in a paddy field after the humiliating public display. In response to the viral video, the Manipur police made a significant breakthrough by arresting the main accused on Thursday morning.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep concern over the incident, describing it as a matter of shame for the entire nation. He stated that what happened to the daughters in Manipur is unforgivable, and he assured the country that every criminal involved will be brought to justice, and the law will take its course. The Supreme Court also weighed in on the matter, referring to the video as deeply disturbing and urging the Central Government to take strict action.
Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh responded to the incident, stating that immediate action was taken as soon as the video surfaced. The Manipur Police initiated an investigation, and the first arrest was made. He pledged to ensure that all perpetrators, including the possibility of the death penalty, face strict consequences for their actions.
#WATCH | Manipur CM N Biren Singh speaks on the viral video, says, “We saw the video and I felt so bad, it’s a crime against humanity. I immediately ordered the police to arrest the culprits and the state govt will try to ensure capital punishment for the accused. Every human… pic.twitter.com/02y8knvMD4
— ANI (@ANI) July 20, 2023
However, opposition parties have criticized both the central and state governments for their delayed response in arresting the accused, as 77 days had passed since the incident occurred. They demanded an explanation from the central government and questioned the future of Chief Minister N. Biren Singh. The opposition parties plan to raise this issue during the monsoon session of Parliament, which could lead to a stormy session. The central government has agreed to discuss the Manipur violence during the parliamentary session.
The Supreme Court’s intervention has added weight to the call for swift action, urging the government to take strict measures against the culprits involved in this heinous act. Chief Justice DY Chandrachud expressed his distress over the graphic video that has circulated.
Manipur violence: “Deeply disturbed by videos of 2 women paraded naked,” says SC; asks govt to take action
— ANI Digital (@ani_digital) July 20, 2023
Read @ANI Story | https://t.co/UXyoCMmYz9#Manipur #SupremeCourt #cjidychandrachud pic.twitter.com/iFBRc5AB4Q
Ban on sharing videos on social media
In response to the widespread sharing of the video on social media platforms, the Central Government has issued orders to ban its circulation. The government considers the video to be deeply shameful and wants to prevent further dissemination to protect the dignity and privacy of the victims.
As the nation awaits justice for the victims of this appalling incident, the authorities are conducting a thorough investigation to ensure that all those responsible are held accountable for their actions. The situation in Manipur remains tense, with calls for swift and fair justice ringing louder each day.