New Delhi: The Manipur Police confirmed on Thursday that they have apprehended three more main accused in connection with the incident involving the shameful act of women being paraded naked and sexually assaulted by a mob in B Phainom village on May 4.
The police further informed that they are making all-out efforts to arrest the other culprits at the earliest.
“Three more main accused of the heinous crime of abduction and gang rape under Nongpok Sekmai PS, Thoubal District have been arrested today. So a total of four persons have been arrested till now. The State Police is making all-out efforts to arrest the other culprits at the earliest. Raids are continuing,” Manipur Police tweeted.
Manipur Police had earlier arrested the key accused in the case.
The National Commission for Women (NCW) issued a formal directive to the Head of Public Policy at Twitter India on Thursday, ordering the removal of a video showcasing the disgraceful act of two women being paraded naked in Manipur. The commission emphasised that the video compromises the identities of the victims and is considered a punishable offence.
“NCW has formally directed the Head of Public Policy at Twitter India to remove the video showing the disgraceful act of two women being paraded naked. This video compromises the victims’ identities and is a punishable offence,” the NCW tweeted.
The grisly incident, which took place on May 4 in Kangpokpi district, a day after violence broke out in the northeast state, sent shockwaves across the nation after the video became viral on social media on Wednesday.
Raising serious concern over the post, Chief Minister Biren Singh said the government was considering capital punishment for the perpetrators.
Ahead of the Monsoon session of the parliament, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday condemned the incident and said: “The nation is ashamed and humiliated. I assure the nation, no guilty will be spared. Law will take its course with all its might. What happened with the daughters of Manipur can never be forgiven.”
Meanwhile, the Supreme Court has taken a stern view of the horrific video and said that it will be forced to step in if the governments in the state and Centre do not take immediate measures.
“We will give a little time for the government to take action, otherwise we will step in,” Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud said on Thursday.
The horrendous incident occurred on May 4 in Kangpokpi district, 35 km from Imphal, as reported by the Indigenous Tribal Leaders Forum (ITLF). According to the tribal organisation, the two women were subjected to a heinous gang-rape in a field before being humiliated and dehumanised in public.
Despite conflicting reports from the police stating that the incident occurred in another district, the first information report (FIR) was lodged in Kangpokpi, prompting widespread demand for accountability and justice.
Responding to the mounting outrage, CM Biren Singh has directed the police to prioritise the investigation.
Meanwhile, the Manipur Police, in a tweet, confirmed that they have registered a case of gang-rape and murder and have already identified the perpetrators. Speaking to the media, a senior police officer affirmed that arrests will be made imminently, as the survivors came forward to report the horrifying ordeal nearly 15 days after the incident.
The northeastern state has been witnessing ethnic clashes since May 3 between the Meiteis and Kukis. Hundreds of people have been killed in the violence so far.
According to sources, the Centre on Thursday asked Twitter and other social media platforms to take down the video as the matter is under investigation. The government has told social media platforms operating in India that it is imperative for them to adhere to Indian laws. The order was given after the video went viral on social media triggering shock and outrage.
Leaders from various political parties and individuals have taken to social media to express their shock and call for stringent action against the perpetrators. Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra described the incident as heart-wrenching and emphasised the urgent need to combat violence against women and children in society.
Amid widespread condemnation, the ITLF has appealed to the National Commission for Women and the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes to intervene and ensure justice for the victims.
As the investigation progresses, the nation awaits justice for the victims and severe punishment for the perpetrators responsible for this heinous crime.