Manipur parade incident sparks nationwide outrage

Morung Express News
Dimapur | July 20

A video clip of two women paraded naked by a mob in Manipur, which surfaced on the internet on Wednesday, sparked nationwide outrage, even prompting Prime Minister Narendra Modi to finally break his silence over the continuing violence in the state. 

The horrifying incident had reportedly occurred on May 4 at B Phainom, Island sub-division, Kangpokpi District, Manipur under Thoubal police station. 

As the 26-second video of the May 4 mob violence took nationwide centre stage, disrupting the parliament sessions and eliciting unequivocal condemnations. 

Meanwhile, the Manipur Police updated Thursday night that so far four persons have been arrested till now over the incident. 

“Three more main accused of the heinous crime of abduction and gangrape under Nongpok Sekmai PS, Thoubal District have been arrested today,” it informed in a tweet. 

“The State Police is making all out efforts to arrest the other culprits at the earliest. Raids are continuing,” it added. 

The police had earlier registered case of “abduction, gang rape and murder” against unknown armed miscreants at Nongpok Sekmai PS (Thoubal District). 

Supreme Court, NCW takes suo moto cognisance
 On Thursday, the Supreme Court took suo moto cognisance over the incident and sought an action taken report from the Centre and state governments by July 28.

A bench headed by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud and comprising Justices PS Narasimha and Manoj Misra, told the Solicitor General of India that the apex court will be constrained to “step in” if the government does not take action, an IANS report stated. 

"We will give a little time to the government to act otherwise we will take action," the bench said.  The court said that it is “deeply disturbed” by the incident which it termed as a “gross constitutional violation.”

The National Commission for Women (NCW) on Thursday also took suo motu cognisance of the incident.

"NCW condemns the Manipur incident. Taking suo motu cognisance, the DGP Manipur has been asked to promptly take appropriate action," the NCW tweeted.

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), meanwhile, issued a notice to the Manipur government over incident.
Union Home Minister, Amit Shah is also learnt to have spoken to Manipur Chief Minister, N Biren Singh and asked him to take stringent action against the perpetrators.

Singh said a thorough investigation is underway into the incident over two months ago and strict action, including possible capital punishment, will follow.

"My hearts go out to the two women who were subjected to a deeply disrespectful and inhumane act, as shown in the distressing video that surfaced yesterday… Let it be known, there is absolutely no place for such heinous acts in our society," he tweeted.

Later in the day, Governor of Manipur, Anusuiya Uikey met Director General of Police of Manipur, Rajiv Singh, at Raj Bhavan in Imphal and directed the DGP to take immediate steps to bring the perpetrators of the heinous crime to book and award exemplary punishment as per law. She also asked the DGP for giving special protection to the victims, if required. 

Both houses of the parliament were adjourned for the day on Thursday amid noisy protests by opposition members over the situation in Manipur.

Meanwhile, the PTI news agency reported that the Government of India has directed Twitter and other social media platforms to take down the video since the matter is being probed.

“The videos were inflammatory, and as the matter is under investigation, Twitter and other social media companies have been asked to remove the video,” the report said, citing sources.

Rio, Patton & others condemn
Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio in a tweet termed the incident as ‘barbaric and shameful,’ while urging Manipur CM, Home Minister Amit Shah “to act without delay and take concrete steps to restore the trust of the people.”

“We must protect the rights and dignity of every citizen. Peace and humanity must prevail and violence must be shunned. Innocent women and children are always the first and the most impacted victims of any conflict. We must all collectively strive for peace,” he added. 

Deputy Chief Minister, Y Patton also condemned the incident and said that the ongoing situation in Manipur is deeply “concerning, distressing, and devastating.”

 “The rule of the mob must be replaced with peace and justice. The latest visuals of atrocities against women, in particular, are deeply disturbing and utterly unacceptable. This inhumanity is condemnable and must be put to an end,” he tweeted. 

Nagaland’s two women legislators- Hekani Jakhalu, Advisor, Industries & Commerce and Salhoutuonuo Kruse, Minister, Women Resource Development & Horticulture voiced out their angst and condemnation over the ghastly incident and demanded justice for the victims at the earliest. 

The Naga Mothers’ Association (NMA) in a representation to the National Commission for Women (NCW) sought immediate intervention into the violent crimes against women in the Manipur violence by setting up an inquiry into the brutal murder of M Lucy on July 15, the May 4 incident and countless others. 

It lamented that women and young girls have become the target of this war, mercilessly being raped, killed and forced to bear untold violence in Manipur. 

The Kuki Nute Kiloikhom, Nagaland, apex body of the Kuki Mother’s Association said the incident at B Phainom is one of the many such incidents of crimes against the women folk of Kuki-Zo communities in the ongoing violence. 

It also sought to highlight a similar incident in Imphal wherein two women in their 20s were handed over by the landlady to a mob to be raped and killed. 

“We refuse to tolerate such abhorrent crimes within the fabric of our modern society and implore the majoritarian community of Manipur to confront the moral compass of the perpetrators at the earliest,” the KNK stated.