Imphal— In a horrifying incident that has sent shockwaves across the nation, a distressing video of two Manipur women being paraded naked has gone viral, drawing condemnation from various quarters as evidence of heinous atrocities. The incident occurred in the Kangpokpi district amidst mob violence that followed the burning of a village. The survivors recounted their harrowing ordeal to the media, shedding light on the brutality they endured.

The incident, which took place on May 4, depicts a scene where men from one community descended upon a Kuki-dominated area, with ammunition, and allegedly set houses ablaze. In the chaos that ensued, five villagers, two men, and three women managed to escape to a nearby forest. However, on their way back to the police station, a mob intercepted them near Toubul, approximately 2 kilometers away from the station.

The mob forcibly stripped the three women and paraded them naked while heckling and taunting them. Tragically, one of the women, aged 21, was brutally gang-raped, and her 56-year-old father was killed on the spot when he attempted to protect her. Her 19-year-old brother also lost his life while trying to defend his sister from the mob's vicious assault.

As the nation stands united in its demand for justice, Manipur Police has  reportedly  made its first arrest in connection with the incident. As per media reports, the accused has been identified as Khuriem Hero Das, but the investigation is ongoing to apprehend all individuals responsible for the barbaric acts.  

Cycle of ' Revenge Rapes'

According to the survivors' accounts, reported by various media organizations, the men in the mob shouted chilling threats, claiming that they would exact revenge for a supposed incident involving a Meitei nurse in Churachandpur. The false claim of the nurse being raped by a tribal mob had triggered violent reactions from Meitei groups, leading to a cycle of 'revenge rapes.'

The survivors, who later managed to escape with the help of locals, shared their horrifying experiences with the media. One of the women stated that the men appeared to be under the influence of alcohol and seemed unaware of the severity of their actions.

In a chilling account of the horrifying incident in Manipur, one of the survivors, a woman in her forties, bravely recounted the terrifying events that unfolded on that fateful day. The mob of men allegedly targeted the women, demanding they strip off their clothes.

Fearful for her life, the woman described how the men threatened to kill her if she didn't comply with their demands. In a desperate attempt to protect herself, she reluctantly took off every item of clothing while enduring the physical abuse of slaps and punches from the assailants. During this ordeal, she was not aware of what was happening to her 21-year-old neighbor, who was some distance away.

After being forcibly stripped, the woman claimed that she was dragged to a nearby paddy field, where the men ordered her to lie down. Three men surrounded her, and she recounted that one of them suggested they rape her but thankfully, they didn't proceed with such extreme violence. However, the survivor endured further indignity as the men groped her breasts during the assault.

FIR registered on June 21

A zero FIR regarding the incident was filed at the Saikul Police Station on June 21, over a month after the tragic event. The complaint mentions that the mob also gang-raped a third woman. The complaint has been transferred to the Nongpok Sekmai police station, the site of the purported incident. Manoj Prabhakar M, the police superintendent of Kangpokpi, confirmed, “We have registered zero FIR in Saikul police station and forwarded to Nongpok Sekmai."

The case has been registered under various sections of the Indian Penal Code and the Arms Act to bring the perpetrators to justice. However, activists have claimed that police has omitted many major sections in the FIR that should have been invoked for the inhumane act against the helpless women desperately seen calling out for help.

Police Makes Peace Appeal: Efforts to Restore Normalcy Amidst Sporadic Tensions

In his statement, Superintendent of Police Imphal West,  K. Meghachandra Singh addressed the current situation in the state, stating that it remained peaceful overall but tense in some areas, with sporadic incidents of firing and crowd gatherings reported at different places.

He said that regarding the viral videos of the two women who were paraded naked by unknown armed miscreants on May 4, 2023, the Thoubal District Police registered a case of abduction, gang rape, and murder. The investigation into the incident has been initiated, and the police are diligently working to apprehend the culprits at the earliest.

The SP said that in response to the situation, the State Police, along with Central forces, conducted search operations in various vulnerable and fringe areas of both the valley and hill districts. As a result of one such operation, District Police in Imphal East successfully recovered two arms with two magazines.

To maintain law and order, curfew relaxation was curtailed in five valley districts and Churachandpur. Strict security measures were implemented to enforce the curfew effectively.

In an effort to ensure public safety and prevent further incidents, a total of 126 Nakas/Checkpoints were installed in different districts of Manipur, both in the hill and the valley. As part of these measures, the police detained 452 individuals in connection with various violations reported across the state.

Helpline to clarify rumours

SP Meghachandra Singh appealed to the general public to extend all possible help in bringing back normalcy to the state. He urged the public to clarify any rumors by contacting the rumor-free number (9233522822) of the Central Control room. Furthermore, he called for people to voluntarily return and deposit arms, ammunition, and explosives to the police or security forces immediately.

Nationwide outcry, people unite in solidarity

Following the circulation of the shocking video, there has been a massive outcry across the country, with political leaders, film stars, and citizens expressing their outrage. Prime Minister Narendra Modi condemned the incident, stating that the entire nation felt ashamed, and he called for strengthening law and order, particularly for the security of women.

Union Minister Smriti Irani spoke to Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh, who assured her that an investigation into the matter was underway. Opposition leaders raised questions about the government's silence for over two months after the violence erupted in the northeastern state.

The Indigenous Tribal Leaders' Forum also joined in condemning the incident, stating that the victims were from the tribal community, while the assailants were from the non tribal community. The forum pointed out that the video was deliberately shared by the perpetrators to expose the identities of the victims and prolong their humiliation after the heinous crime.

The incident in Manipur has sparked discussions on the urgent need for enhanced measures to ensure the safety and security of women across the country. Calls for strict punishment for the perpetrators resonate as the survivors' bravery sheds light on the horrors they endured and the long road to healing and justice that lies ahead.