Thousands of protesters took to the streets of Manipur's Churachandpur on Thursday following the circulation of a terrorising video of two Kuki-Zo women being paraded naked and groped by a mob amid the ongoing violence and ethnic clashes in the northeastern state. The rally was led by the Indigenous Tribal Leaders’ Forum (ITLF), in which protesters carried banners demanding a ‘separate administration’ from Manipur for the tribal community.
Earlier in the day, one of the persons seen in the harrowing video – Huirem Herodas Meitei – was arrested by the Manipur Police. The incident allegedly happened on May 4, a day after ethnic violence erupted in the state, but was doing rounds on social media on Wednesday ahead of the ITLF rally.
"Central Government please recognise our separation from Manipur," read a banner.
In a tweet, Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh said, "After taking a Suo-motu cognisance of the incident immediately after the video surfaced, the Manipur Police swung to action and made the first arrest this morning. A thorough investigation is currently underway and we will ensure strict action is taken against all the perpetrators, including considering the possibility of capital punishment."
Manipur police had issued a statement saying a case of abduction, gang rape and murder has been registered at Nongpok Sekmai police station in Thoubal district against unknown armed miscreants and that all-out efforts were on to arrest the culprits at the earliest.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi broke his silence on the Manipur issue for the first time today more than two months after the violence erupted. In a 36-second statement outside the Parliament where the Monsoon Session started today, Modi said, “I ask all chief ministers to ensure that in their respective states, the law and order system be made stronger. Particularly when it comes to the protection of our mothers and sisters, the strictest action must be taken. Whether it is in Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh or Manipur, in any corner of this country, politicians must rise above political rhetoric to ensure women are respected,” referencing two Congress-ruled states while referring to violence in a BJP-ruled state.
The Minister of Women and Child Development, Smriti Irani condemned the incident as “downright inhuman.” Meanwhile, the Opposition questioned the delay in their reaction to the ongoing clashes.
The Supreme Court, meanwhile, took cognisance of the incident and urged the Centre and the state government to act.
