New Delhi: In the horrific case of the Manipur video in which two women were paraded naked in violence-hit Manipur, the police have made another arrest, bringing the total number of suspects in custody to five. The fifth accused identified as Yumlembam Nungsithoi Metei, 19, police said.
The manhunt is underway to apprehend the remaining dozen individuals seen in the viral video.
Reportedly, Chief Minister N Biren Singh is personally overseeing the search operations, while raids are being conducted at suspected hideouts. The situation remains tense and volatile, with peaceful sit-in protests being held at various locations.
Meanwhile, four other individuals, including the prime accused Huirem Herodas Meitei, were arrested on Friday.
HIGHLIGHTS
- To maintain control, the state government has set up 126 checkpoints in different districts, hills, and valleys, resulting in the detention of 413 people for violations.
- In the midst of these developments, the state government has urged the public not to fall for rumors and has established a “rumour-free” helpline- 9233522822- for verification of “unfounded” videos. They have also appealed to the people to return any looted arms, ammunition, and explosives to the police or nearest security forces.
- Reportedly, fresh violence broke out in Imphal. The women of Petchi Village reacted strongly by setting fire to Herodas’s house.
- Chief Minister N Biren Singh, echoing the sentiment of the entire state, vehemently condemned the viral video showing the horrendous act against the two women. He expressed that the people of Manipur hold women in high regard as mothers, and this heinous act has tarnished their reputation. The public demands the harshest punishment for the perpetrators, and in solidarity, the Chief Minister himself participated in a protest in his Heingang Assembly constituency.
- Describing the incident as a “crime against humanity,” Biren Singh assured the state’s commitment to apprehending the culprits and bringing them to justice.
- Meanwhile, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma raised questions about the timing of the video’s release, suggesting political motives behind its leak just before the Parliament’s monsoon session. He claimed that states ruled by the opposition, such as West Bengal, Rajasthan, and Chhattisgarh, have higher incidents of rape compared to Manipur and other northeastern provinces governed by the BJP.
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who had been silent on the Manipur violence until now, expressed his anguish and anger over the horrifying video. He also brought up the incidents in Congress-governed Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh and called upon all Chief Ministers to strengthen law and order in their respective states.
- In response to the Prime Minister’s remarks, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge criticized him for not addressing the issue within the Parliament and suggested that instead of drawing false comparisons with Congress-governed states, the Prime Minister should have taken action against the Chief Minister of Manipur.
- The incident has triggered widespread outrage and calls for justice, and the authorities are under immense pressure to ensure the swift apprehension and punishment of all those involved in this heinous act.