Hyderabad: A man, who was part of the mob that paraded naked two tribal women in Kangpokpi district of Manipur and was seen dragging one of them, was among four persons arrested on Thursday, July 20. Prime Minister Narendra Modi condemned the incident and said that those guilty won't be spared, which were his first remarks on the situation in the strife-torn state.
Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh told reporters on Thursday evening that two persons were arrested, but hours later officials said that two more persons were arrested. According to police, one of the accused has been identified as Huirem Heradash Singh, who was seen prominently directing the mob at B. Phainom village of the Kangpokpi district in the 26-second video that surfaced on Wednesday, July 19.
The identity of the other three arrested persons was not immediately known. Taking suo motu cognisance of the video, police had registered a case of abduction, gang rape and murder at Nongpok Sekmai police station in Thoubal district against unknown armed men and that all-out efforts were on to arrest the culprits at the earliest.
The two women are alleged to have been sexually assaulted before being set free by the mob comprising the majority community. Meanwhile, villagers set the house of one of the accused Heradash Singh on fire and have also ostracised his family.
Earlier, the CM said his government was considering the possibility of capital punishment for the perpetrators involved in the video showing two Kuki women being paraded naked and sexually assaulted by a mob which has sparked public outrage against the Manipur government.
"My hearts go out to the two women, who were subjected to a deeply disrespectful and inhumane act, as shown in the distressing video that surfaced yesterday (on Wednesday). After taking suo-moto cognisance of the incident immediately after the video surfaced, the Manipur Police swung to action and made the first arrest this (Thursday) 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. Let it be known, there is absolutely no place for such heinous acts in our society(sic)," Biren Singh said in a Tweet.
Meanwhile, influential Meitei body - Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) - also issued a statement saying it strongly condemns "the barbaric and uncivilised act of violence on two ladies parading naked in broad daylight at a remote village in Manipur". According to the statement, COCOMI is trying all possible means to hunt down the culprits wherever they are.
"The entire Meitei community is in deep shame and anguish over the clip...COCOMI firmly believes that all those involved in the barbaric act will not be spared by the Meetei community in any ways and befitting punishment will surely be given to everyone involved in the crime," it said. Over 160 people have lost their lives, and several have been injured since ethnic violence broke out in the state on May 3, when a 'Tribal Solidarity March' was organised in the hill districts to protest against the Meitei community's demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status.
Meiteis account for about 53 per cent of Manipur's population and live mostly in the Imphal Valley, while tribals, which include Nagas and Kukis, constitute 40 per cent and reside mostly in the hill districts.
The incident has been condemned by leaders across party lines. "Today, when I am standing by this temple of democracy my heart is full of pain and anger. I want to assure the countrymen that no guilty will be spared," Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Thursday, July 20, before the commencement of the Monsoon session of the Parliament in the national capital.
Also read: Will write to PM, Manipur CM, demanding strict action: DCW chief on video of two women paraded naked
