A distressing video capturing the appalling act of two women being paraded naked by a violent mob in Manipur, India, has ignited fury and sparked a nationwide debate on women’s safety and justice.
The police have initiated a case of gang rape and have arrested a man in connection with the heinous crime, vowing to apprehend others involved. The shocking incident in Manipur, a state in the north-eastern region of India, has gripped the nation and led to demands for immediate action and justice.
In response to the uproar, Thursday’s parliamentary session in Delhi was disrupted, as lawmakers called for a debate on the issue. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi broke his silence on the matter, expressing his deep shame over the incident and assuring the nation that the guilty would face the full force of the law. “What happened with the daughters of Manipur can never be forgiven,” he declared.
The Chief Justice of India, DY Chandrachud, also expressed grave concern over the assault, acknowledging the Supreme Court’s deep disturbance upon viewing the video. The court demanded that the government provide updates on the steps taken against the perpetrators, warning of action should swift justice not be delivered.
Manipur, a picturesque Indian state bordering Myanmar, has been engulfed in deadly violence for over two months. Clashes between the Meitei and Kuki tribal communities have led to their complete segregation, with 130 people losing their lives, and 60,000 others being displaced.
The shocking assault on the two Kuki women by members of the Meitei group took place on May 4, but the incident gained national attention on Thursday when the distressing video started circulating on social media. In response, the federal government has instructed social media companies to remove the video from their platforms.
The horrifying footage shows the women being dragged and assaulted by a mob of men who then forced them into a field. The Indigenous Tribal Leaders’ Forum (ITLF) released a statement condemning the atrocities, affirming that the incident occurred in a village in Kangpokpi district and alleging that the women were subjected to gang rape.
As the nation grapples with shock and outrage, the call for justice and accountability grows louder, demanding that those responsible face the full consequences of their actions.