Amid criticism over delay in action on part of the state government in Manipur after a horrific video surfaced showing two Kuki-Zo tribal women being paraded naked by a mob, Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh said “hundreds of similar cases have happened,” in an attempt to defend the backlash. The chief minister claimed that the viral video surfaced when the government was trying to identify the particular case.
When asked by a TV news anchor as to why the Chief Minister wasn't aware of the incident, he responded, "You should not listen to allegations but look at the ground reality. Hundreds of such incidents have happened, that is why internet is banned.” He then said that the police will take action on the case, in an interview with the TV channel India Today.
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Biren Singh's remarks come at a time when questions are being raised on Manipur Police's delay in acting on the FIR which was registered on May 18, a few days after the incident. More than 70 days after the incident, four accused were arrested yesterday, the CM announced. Police said the first arrested person - Huirem Heradash Singh - was seen prominently directing the mob at B. Phainom village of Kangpokpi district in the 26-second video that surfaced on Wednesday. The identity of the other three arrested persons was not immediately known.
Opposition parties too have been questioning the silence on the incident so far. Reacting to Biren Singh's remarks, Congress's Supriya Shrinate said, "Not one but hundreds of such atrocities have happened - but why is this man still the chief minister? Narendra Modi, do you have the answer?" on Twitter, and attached a clip of the interview.
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The issue also occupied the centre stage on the first day of the Monsoon Session of the Parliament. Proceedings in the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha were disrupted and adjourned yesterday with opposition MPs creating an uproar over the incident and demanding a discussion in Parliament.
According to Congress leader in the Lok Sabha Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, former party chief Sonia Gandhi also urged Prime Minister Modi to discuss the Manipur situation in the House.
DIG-rank officers in Manipur
Currently, around 5,000 Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel are deployed in Manipur. DG, CRPF, Sujoy Lal Thaosen in consultation with the Ministry of Home Affairs redefined the ranges and attached two senior officers from Kohima in Nagaland and Silchar in Assam.
An order issued on July 18 by IG (Operations) Anshuman Yadav states, “In view of the present security scenario in Manipur and increased level of CRPF deployment, supervision of senior officers of DIGs across strategic places of the state has been felt essential and crucial. Accordingly, to have effective control and supervision over the existing and additional companies deployed in Manipur, DIG (Ops) Kohima and DIG (Range) Silchar are temporarily placed in Manipur with immediate effect by establishing tactical headquarters,” the Indian Express reported.
