In the Indian state of Manipur, a chilling incident that involved the public humiliation and assault of two women has led to the first arrest. This news was confirmed by N Biren Singh, the Chief Minister of Manipur, who mentioned that they're also considering the maximum possible punishment for the culprit, which could include capital punishment.

To shed light on the timeline, the Manipur police arrested the main suspect in the early hours of yesterday, around 1.30 a.m. This arrest is in relation to a horrific incident that occurred back in May, where a video captured two women being disgracefully paraded in the nude in the region. The video, that became viral two months after the incident, incited an intense wave of criticism from numerous political factions and ignited a firestorm of public outrage.

Condemning the atrocious act, Chief Minister Singh expressed, "This is a display of utter inhumanity. We strongly denounce it and have promptly directed our police to take immediate action and apprehend the people responsible." He further emphasized that the incident is universally condemnable, stating that every man, every human being, would undoubtedly condemn such an act. In terms of the punishment, he stated that the authorities will push for the maximum possible penalties for those accountable.

The horrifying video left a deep impression on the Chief Minister. "I was profoundly shocked when I saw the video. I immediately sought details about the incident, which reportedly happened on May 4...however, it was startling that the video was leaked only 40 days later." On discovering the horrific details, he ordered extensive search operations, leading to the arrest of a suspect last night.

Details provided by a senior police official tell us that the shocking incident transpired on May 4 in the Thoubal district of Manipur. The authorities registered a case under the charges of abduction, sexual assault, and murder.

On July 19, Superintendent of Police (SP) K Meghachandra Singh issued a formal statement regarding the video, stating, "In relation to the video that surfaced on May 4, 2023, showing two women being disgraced and paraded naked by unidentified armed miscreants, we've registered a case of kidnapping, gangrape, and murder at Nongpok Sekmai Police Station (Thoubal district) against these anonymous armed offenders."

In an earlier tweet, Chief Minister N Biren Das announced that stern measures, potentially including capital punishment, will be considered against all the culprits. "After becoming aware of the incident immediately after the video surfaced, the Manipur Police swung into action and made the first arrest this morning. An intensive investigation is currently in progress, and we assure that stringent actions will be taken against all the culprits, considering even capital punishment," the Chief Minister tweeted, adding, "We want to make it clear that such abominable acts have absolutely no place in our society."

Manipur violence

Manipur has been grappling with heightened violence since May 3, sparked by protests from the Kuki and Naga communities against a High Court ruling. The court order called on the state government to mull over including the Meitei community under the Scheduled Tribes (ST) category. This matter is of significance as only STs can acquire land in the hilly regions.

The majority Meitei community, mainly residing in the Imphal Valley and surrounding areas, has sought ST status. Their motive is to be able to purchase land in the mountainous regions, driven by the surge in population and the consequent increasing need for land.

This period of unrest was further scarred by the shocking footage that emerged on July 19. It showed two women being stripped naked and paraded publicly. As per available reports, the horrifying incident happened on May 4, just a day after the commencement of the violence in this North Eastern state.

The gruesome video features two women, naked and humiliated, surrounded by a mob of men who were jeering at them, and subsequently being dragged into a paddy field. The reports also suggested that the women were then subjected to gang rape.

In the aftermath, the local indigenous tribal leaders' forum issued a condemnation of the incident, mentioning that the victims were from the Kuki community while the attackers belonged to the Meitei community.

Interestingly, it is reported that a complaint regarding the incident was only lodged on June 21, over a month after it took place. The complaint, filed at the Saikul Police Station by Thangboi Vaiphei, the chief of B. Phainom village, indicated that a third woman was also gang-raped by the mob. 

In response to the filed complaint, a case has been officially registered. The severity of the charges is evident as they cover a wide range of serious offences. The case has been registered under multiple sections of the Indian Penal Code, namely, Section 153A, 398, 427, 436, 448, 302, 354, 364, 326, 376, and 34. This extensive list covers charges ranging from promoting enmity between different groups to robbery, mischief causing damage, arson, house trespass, murder, assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty, abduction, voluntarily causing grievous hurt, rape, and acts done by several persons in furtherance of common intention.

Additionally, the case also includes charges under Section 25(1C) of the Arms Act, which pertains to the illegal use, possession, manufacture, sale, or transportation of arms or ammunition. This further emphasizes the gravity of the offence and the seriousness with which the authorities are treating this case.

FIR of the incident

Complaint filed regarding the incident by village chief of B Phainom village, dated June 21, 2023

Horrific mob attack in Manipur village, as detailed by the village Chief’s complaint

In a stomach-churning incident, the peaceful quiet of the B Phainom village in Manipur was shattered on May 4 when a huge mob of men, predominantly belonging to the Meitei community, stormed into the village. According to the village chief's complaint, these men weren't just ordinary villagers; they were heavily armed with 'sophisticated weapons.' Their violent actions seemed meticulously planned and targeted, igniting terror among the innocent villagers.

Pillage, Destruction, and Kidnapping | The armed mob, in a display of absolute inhumanity, embarked on a violent spree, leaving nothing untouched. They looted homes, taking away all valuable possessions and electronic gadgets from the terror-stricken villagers. The mob's violence didn't end with looting. They proceeded to burn down the houses in the village, leaving a trail of destruction behind them. It was nothing short of a nightmare as the mob carried out rampant vandalization, turning the once-peaceful village into a war zone.

In an attempt to save their lives, five villagers reportedly fled into the surrounding forest as the mob's fury raged on. Later, these villagers were found and rescued by a police team from Nonpok Sekmai. But, their ordeal was far from over. In a shocking turn of events, the mob attacked again, forcefully taking these individuals from the police's protective custody.

Brutal Killings and Assault | The horrific onslaught of violence resulted in the death of a man, who was killed on the spot by the mob. But, the mob's actions took an even darker turn. They targeted three women, forcing them to strip naked in front of the entire mob. What followed was an utterly horrifying scene: these women were gang-raped in broad daylight by some men in the mob. The complaint further states that the slain man was the brother of one of the women, and he had been trying to protect his sister from the horrifying violence.

Adding to the casualties, another man from the victim's family, aged 56, was murdered by the relentless mob.

The Victims’ Escape and The Perpetrators’ Disgrace | Despite the terrifying circumstances, the women managed to escape from the clutches of the mob, with some local residents coming to their aid. Their physical injuries may heal over time, but the psychological scars of the heinous crime they suffered will likely linger.

The Indigenous Tribal Leaders' Forum, a representative body of the local tribes, has vocally condemned the incident. They also pointed out a further disgraceful act by the perpetrators: they recorded and shared a video of the assault. This was done to expose the identities of the women victims and prolong their humiliation long after the crime itself had ended.

Response from the Manipur Police | Once the video of the appalling incident went viral, it led to a widespread outcry across the country, with people expressing their shock and demanding justice for the victims. In response to the public outrage, the Manipur police issued a statement, assuring the people that they are making all-out efforts to apprehend the culprits. But as the investigation continues, the villagers, victims, and their families are left with the harrowing memories of that fateful day, waiting and hoping for justice to be served.

Manipur's unrest: A state of tension and peace, curfew relaxed in five districts, asserts Manipur Police

In a press release addressing the heinous video and the resulting unrest in Manipur, the state police issued an update, providing an overview of the current situation in the region.

On July 19th, the police indicated that the preceding 24 hours had been relatively calm. However, there was an undertone of tension, punctuated by sporadic episodes of arson and spontaneous crowd gatherings. The viral video, which shocked the nation, was duly acknowledged by the police, who confirmed that an FIR had been registered and an investigation is currently ongoing. As of this update, no suspects have been apprehended in connection with the brutal incident depicted in the video.

In an effort to restore law and order, the police have initiated substantial search operations aimed at confiscating illegal arms. Amid these developments, curfew regulations have been relaxed in five valley districts and Churachandpur, giving the beleaguered citizens some respite.

Efforts to Control the Violence | Police efforts to control the unrest have resulted in the establishment of 126 checkpoints across different districts. So far, 452 individuals have been arrested in connection with the widespread violence. The police are appealing to the public for help and cooperation in these trying times, urging them to provide any information that could assist in their investigations. They also provided a toll-free number, 9233522822, through which members of the public can share information, request help, or report or surrender illegal arms, ammunition, and explosives.

Union Minister’s Response to the Viral Video | Smriti Irani, the Union Minister for Women and Child Development, responded to the viral video, labeling the incident as inhuman. She expressed her disgust, reflecting the widespread revulsion felt by citizens nationwide.

Incident Coverage: Then and Now | It’s important to note that this horrific incident had been reported by some media outlets earlier but didn't garner much attention until the release of the distressing video. In fact, a YouTube video detailing the incident and including the victims' responses has been available since May.

Reports about the incident from B. Phainom village were published in Mid Day on June 26, just a few days after the FIR was lodged. News Click also reported on June 1 about a woman from the victim family recounting the incident. However, it wasn't until July 19, when the video illustrating the brutal assault on the women went viral, that the incident began to command national attention.

Government's Order to Social Media Platforms | In light of the incident's gravity and sensitivity, the government has issued an order to Twitter and other social media platforms. They have been directed not to share the viral video of the two Manipuri women being paraded nude, as it is currently under investigation. Under Indian law, disclosing the identity of sexual crime victims is a punishable offense, so platforms are urged to respect and adhere to these laws.

Manipur's CM Tweets About the First Arrest | As the situation continues to unfold, Manipur's Chief Minister, N Biren Singh, updated the public via Twitter about the latest developments in the investigation. He confirmed that the first arrest in connection to the case had been made on the morning of July 20. It's notable that this arrest comes after the video of the incident went viral on July 19, despite the complaint regarding the incident being lodged back on June 21.

“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. After taking a Suo-moto cognizance of the incident immediately after the video surfaced, the Manipur Police swung to action and made the first arrest this 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”, the CM stated in his tweet.