Manipur police arrest ‘mastermind’ behind parading two tribal women naked, molesting them

Manipur police arrest ‘mastermind’ behind parading two tribal women naked, molesting them
Imphal: The Manipur Police on Thursday arrested one of the main accused who was seen in a May 4 video of two tribal women being paraded naked and molested by a mob at a village in Senapati district, officials said.

They said several police teams were formed immediately after the video of the incident surfaced.

One of the people, alleged to be the mastermind, was arrested from Thoubal district, officials said. The accused was prominently seen in the 26-second clip.

Police had issued a statement on Wednesday 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.

Manipur has been witnessing ethnic clashes since May 3 between the majority Meitei community, concentrated in the Imphal valley, and the tribal Kukis, occupying the hills. Over 160 people have been killed in the violence so far.

Supreme Court takes suo motu cognisance

Taking suo motu cognisance of videos of two women allegedly being paraded naked in ethnic-violence-hit Manipur, the Supreme Court on Thursday asked the Centre and the state government to inform it about the action taken against the perpetrators.

“We are very deeply disturbed about the videos distributed yesterday. We are expressing our deep concern. It is time that the government steps in and takes action. This is completely unacceptable…Using women as an instrument in an area of communal strife to perpetuate gender violence is unacceptable,” a Bench led by CJI DY Chandrachud said.

Manipur video ‘shameful, none will be spared’, says PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said the incident of harassment of women in Manipur was “shameful” and urged all state chief ministers to ensure safety of women.

While making a strong statement over the incident, Modi said, “I assure the people that the guilty will not be spared and the law will act with its full might. What has happened to the daughters of Manipur can’t be forgiven.”