Hyderabad: A massive protest rally surged through the streets of Churachandpur in Manipur on Thursday, as outraged citizens expressed their anger and demanded justice following the emergence of a disturbing video from May showing women being paraded naked by a mob in the northeastern state.
The video that went viral on social media on Wednesday shows two tribal women being paraded naked amidst the state's ongoing ethnic clashes. In the footage, the women were paraded naked and sexually assaulted by the mob, sparking widespread outrage and condemnation.
In response to the heinous incident, Manipur Police took swift action and announced the arrest of four culprits, including one of the primary suspects visible in the 26-second video. The main culprit who was wearing a green t-shirt and was seen holding one of the women in the viral video was arrested Thursday morning in an operation after proper identification. "His name is Huirem Herodas Meitei (32 years) of Pechi Awang Leikai," news agency ANI reported quoting government sources. Later in the day, two more culprits were arrested.
The individual, believed to be the mastermind behind the horrific act, was apprehended in Thoubal district, according to police officials. As the video sent shockwaves throughout the nation, Manipur's Chief Minister, N Biren Singh, vowed to take stringent measures against all those involved in the appalling act, even considering the possibility of capital punishment. To ensure a prompt investigation and deliver justice, several police units were formed and actively engaged in the case.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also addressed the incident during his media speech before the Parliament Monsoon Session on Thursday. He expressed his anguish and shame over the incident, acknowledging that the government had faced criticism for its silence on the ethnic violence in the BJP-ruled northeast state.
