After the depressing video of two women being paraded naked on the road by a group of men in Manipur surfaced widely on the internet, it has drawn massive condemnation and calls for action against the accused. A tribal organisation has alleged that the two women were then gang-raped in a field. As the state has been witnessing massive protests since May 3, the video has ignited more conversation and concerns over the Manipur row.This horrific incident happened on May 4 in Kangpoki district, approximately 35 km from the states capital, Imphal, said an official statement by the Indigenous Tribal Leaders Forum (ITLF). However, the police said the incident happened in another district, though an FIR (First Investigation Report) was lodged in Kangpokpi.CM Biren Singhs stance on this horrific incidentSince the video has been circulated on social media, drawing massive aggression against the inhumane act, meanwhile, Chief Minister N Biren Singh has ordered the police to investigate this case as a priority. Speaking to the media, the chief minister said that Women and Child Development Minister Smriti Irani spoke to him, and the Chief Secretary on the shocking incident. She has been assured of strict actions taken earliest against the perpetrators of the heinous crime, Biren Singh added.Taking it to Twitter, the union minister said that she spoke with CM Singh, who assured her that “no effort will be spared to bring the perpetrators to justice.”The horrific video of sexual assault of 2 women emanating from Manipur is condemnable and downright inhuman. Spoke to CM @NBirenSingh ji who has informed me that investigation is currently underway & assured that no effort will be spared to bring perpetrators to justice.— Smriti Z Irani (@smritiirani) July 19, 2023Just a day before this on-camera horror, violence broke out between the Meitei and Kuki tribes in the strife-torn state over Meiteis demand for ST (Scheduled Tribes) status.An appeal to take strict actions against accusedIn an official statement, the ITLF said, “…The despicable scene, which happened on May 4 in Kangpokpi district, shows the men constantly molesting the helpless women, who cry and plead with their captors.”While appealing to the National Commission for Women and the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes to take action, the ITLF added, “The horrifying ordeal suffered by these innocent women is amplified by the perpetrators decision to share the video, which shows the identity of the victims, on social media.”Manipur Police registered a case of gang rape and murderOn Wednesday, the Manipur Police said that they have registered a case of gang rape and murder.*All out effort to arrest culprits as regard to the viral video of 02 (two) women paraded naked :*As regard to the viral video of 02 (two) women paraded naked by unknown armed miscreants on 4th May, 2023, a case of abduction, gangrape and murder etc1/2— Manipur Police (@manipur_police) July 19, 2023was registered at Nongpok Sekmai PS (Thoubal District) against unknown armed miscreants and the investigation has been started. The State Police is making all-out effort to arrest the culprits at the earliest.2/2— Manipur Police (@manipur_police) July 19, 2023Political leaders and others condemn this actSeveral political leaders and others across India have expressed shock over this incident on their social media and asked the Centre and Manipur government to take strict action against the men involved in the inhumane act. Moreover, the opposition has slammed the silence from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and alleged inaction on the part of the state and central government.In a tweet, Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra said that pictures of sexual violence against women coming from Manipur are heart-wrenching. “The amount of condemnation of this horrific incident of violence against women is less. Women and children have to bear the maximum brunt of violence in society,” she tweeted in Hindi.मणिपुर से आ रही महिलाओं के खिलाफ यौन हिंसा की तस्वीरें दिल दहला देने वाली हैं। महिलाओं के साथ घटी इस भयावह हिंसा की घटना की जितनी निंदा की जाए कम है। समाज में हिंसा का सबसे ज्यादा दंश महिलाओं और बच्चों को झेलना पड़ता है।हम सभी को मणिपुर में शांति के प्रयासों को आगे बढ़ाते हुए…— Priyanka Gandhi Vadra (@priyankagandhi) July 19, 2023Tripuras Tipra Motha Party chief Pradyot Bikram Manikya Debbarma wrote, “Disturbing videos emerging from Manipur about a woman belonging to a particular community being paraded naked by a mob. There is a total breakdown in the relationships of the two communities there. Hate has won in Manipur.”Disturbing videos emerging from Manipur about a woman belonging to a particular community being paraded naked by a mob . There is total breakdown in the relationships of the two communities there . Hate has won in Manipur— Pradyot_Tripura (@PradyotManikya) July 19, 2023The Internet service has been snapped in violence-hit Manipur since the day it erupted (May 3). The Kuki tribe has demanded the resignation of the Chief Minister. In the violence, more than 120 people died in the ethnic violence and thousands have been displaced and are now living in relief camps.
