Manipur women naked parade video: First arrest made; CM Biren Singh promises to give ‘death’ punishment to criminals

Imphal: Amid growing anger and public outcry over the circulation of a May 4 video on social media, which shows two Manipur women from one warring community paraded naked by some men from the other side, the state government has made its first arrest in the case. Sharing more details, Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh said, “Last night around 1.30 am, we arrested the main culprit.” Speaking to ANI, Manipur Chief Minister said, “It is an inhuman act…so we have immediately condemned it…we have directed the police to act immediately and arrest the culprits.”

First arrest in Manipur women’s nude parade case: Chief Minister

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“Every man and every human being will condemn this act,” Singh said. They said they would seek punishment of the perpetrators “to the maximum extent possible”. The Manipur Chief Minister said, “I was really shocked when I saw the video and after that. I inquired about the incident, it happened on May 4…But this video got leaked after 40 days. I asked for a massive search operation…And last night itself we arrested one person involved in it.”

Earlier in a tweet, CM N Biren Das had said that strict action will be taken against all the culprits, in which the possibility of death penalty will also be considered. The Manipur Chief Minister tweeted, “Soon after the video surfaced, the Manipur Police swung into action suo motu and made the first arrest this morning. A thorough investigation is currently underway and we will ensure that strict action is taken against all perpetrators, including the possibility of the death penalty.”

He tweeted, “Know, there is no place for such heinous acts in our society.”

My thoughts are with the two women who were subjected to the most degrading and inhuman act as shown in the tragic video that surfaced yesterday. Taking suo motu cognizance of the incident soon after the video surfaced, the Manipur Police swung into action… – N. Biren Singh (@NBirenSingh) 20 July 2023

What happened in Manipur on 4th May?

According to a senior police officer, the shocking and shameful incident took place in Manipur’s Thoubal district on May 4 and a case of kidnapping, gang rape and murder has been registered in the matter. Superintendent of Police (SP) K Meghchandra Singh said in a statement on July 19: “In connection with the video of 2 (two) women being paraded naked by unidentified armed miscreants on 4th May 2023, a case of kidnapping, gangrape and murder has been registered I went.” at Nongpok Sekmai Police Station (Thoubal District) against unknown armed miscreants.” Tragic footage of the May 4 incident shows two women in Manipur being stripped naked and subjected to continuous harassment by a group of men from another community. Despite the victims pleading for mercy and help, the perpetrators mercilessly disregarded their dignity and abandoned them. The whole country was shocked.

No one will be spared: PM Modi

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi this morning said he was saddened by the incident and said the incident was “shameful for any civil society.” The Prime Minister said, “No accused will be spared, we will never forgive those who are behind this.”

Speaking to reporters ahead of the monsoon session of Parliament today, PM Modi said, “It is a shameful incident for any society. Who did it and who is responsible is a separate issue but it has brought shame to our country. I appeal to all chief ministers to tighten law and order. Be it Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh or Manipur…the issue of a woman’s honor is above all politics.”

Supreme Court took suo motu cognizance

The Supreme Court has taken suo motu cognizance of the matter after watching the horrifying viral nude parade video from Manipur. The Chief Justice of India (CJI) expressed grave concern over the incident and said that the court should be informed about the steps taken by the government to ensure justice for the victims. The court asked both the central and state governments to inform it about the action taken to bring the culprits to justice.

manipur violence

Manipur has been witnessing violence since May 3 following protests by the Kuki and Naga communities against a High Court order asking the state government to consider including the Meitei community in the Scheduled Tribe (ST) category. Only ST can buy land in hilly areas.

The majority Meitei community living in the Imphal Valley and surrounding areas sought ST status keeping in view their growing population and increasing need for land so that they could buy land in hilly areas.