Manipur violence updates | Four arrested in sexual assault case

Manipur police said in a statement that three more accused were arrested in the “heinous crime of abduction and gangrape,” taking the total number of arrests to four.

“The State Police is making all out efforts to arrest the other culprits at the earliest. Raids are continuing,” police said.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi hit out at PM Modi after the video surfaced over social media.

Mr. Gandhi tweeted, “Prime Minister, the issue is not that it’s a shame for the country. The issue is the immense pain and trauma inflicted on the women of Manipur. Stop the violence immediately.”

The main culprit holding the woman in the video was arrested today morning.

Police had issued a statement on Wednesday saying a case of abduction, gang rape and murder has been registered at Nongpok Sekmai police station in Thoubal district against unknown armed miscreants and that all-out efforts were on to arrest the culprits at the earliest.

Communist Party of India MP Binoy Viswam attacked the government over the Manipur video that showed two women being paraded naked, and said it is time Prime Minister Narendra Modi comes out of “hibernation” and restore peace in the strife-torn state. In a letter to Modi, Mr. Viswam said the incident is a shameful blot on the entire country.

“It will only bring disgrace to our country when you are eagerly waiting to preside over the G-20 Summit. It is impossible to absolve the government of the responsibility of this barbaric crime. I urge you to come out of your hibernation on the Manipur issue and take appropriate steps to instill trust and confidence in the people of the border state,” Mr. Viswam said.

He said the video showing the two naked women being paraded by armed assailants in the state completely “exposes the absence of any semblance of law-and-order, respect for women or presence of government authority”.

“The video is months old but people who committed this heinous crime are roaming freely exposing the failure of the government. Your deafening silence on the Manipur issue has emboldened such unlawful elements who are ruling the roosts in Manipur under the so-called double-engine government of the BJP.”

“First the opposition and today the Supreme Court was compelled to respond to the Manipur crisis due to the painful inaction by your government,” he told in his letter to the PM.

“Your government has not shown any empathy towards the tears and sorrows of the people of Manipur. They are left at the mercy of communally charged mobs with no protection or help in sight.”

“Respected Prime Minister, the insult, humiliation and agony the visuals from Manipur have caused to the women of country will not heal from mere slogans. The disgrace caused by the video for the entire country globally will not simply wash away,” he said. - PTI

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday condemned the incident of women being paraded naked in Manipur and described it as an “act of barbarism”.

She also said the country must stand united in condemning such inhumane actions by miscreants and bring justice to the victims.

“Heartbroken and outraged to witness the horrific video from Manipur showing the brutal treatment of two women by a frenzied mob. No words can express the pain and anguish of witnessing the violence inflicted on marginalised women. This act of barbarism is beyond comprehension and humanity.”

“We must stand united in condemning such inhumane actions by the miscreants & bring justice to the victims,” Ms. Banerjee said on Twitter. - PTI

The Manipur Police have arrested the second person in connection with the May 4 incident of abusing, stripping and parading two Kuki women.

The two women are alleged to have been sexually assaulted before being set free by the mob comprising the majority community.

Earlier in the day, one of the main accused was arrested. - The Hindu Bureau

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said the video of two women being paraded naked in Manipur has shaken the conscience of the nation, and urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to take strict action to restore peace in the state.

“It has often been seen that PM Modi is quiet on such incidents. It is the sign of a weak leader. A courageous leader comes out in the front. It doesn’t happen that they shut themselves in a room. Se has been silent (on the issue),” the AAP chief said.

“The video that went viral has shaken the conscience of nation. It is criminal and extremely shameful that there has been violence in the state for more than two months but the government did not take any action. It is with extreme sadness that I have to say that Manipur (government) and Centre are responsible for this,” he said.

Mr. Kejriwal also slammed the state government over the incident. “Now that the video went viral only one person has been arrested. The faces of the accused are visible. This shows government’s criminal conspiracy, negligence and collusion,” he alleged.

When asked about the growing echo for Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh’s resignation, he said, “For me, the first priority is to restore peace in the state in whatever way possible. I don’t want to do politics over it since it’s a very sensitive matter. The prime minister has to come forward to take responsibility. Strict steps have to be taken.” - PTI

The government was ready for a discussion on the Manipur issue but the opposition disrupted proceedings, making it clear that it has made up its mind to not let Parliament function, Union Minister Piyush Goyal alleged on Thursday.

Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha proceedings were adjourned for the day on the first day of the Monsoon session, amid slogan shouting and demands for a discussion on the situation in strife-hit Manipur.

Even outside Parliament, opposition parties, including the Congress, the Aam Aadmi Party and the Samajwadi Party, have slammed the BJP government at the Centre over the ethnic violence in Manipur and a May 4 video of two women being paraded naked in the northeastern state.

On disruption of proceedings, Mr. Goyal, who is the Leader of the House in Rajya Sabha, told reporters in Parliament complex, that opposition parties are “running away” from a discussion on Manipur as they feel that incidents of “misbehavior” with women in Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan may also come up.

“The Congress and the rest of the opposition parties disrupted the House proceedings even though the government made it clear that it is ready for discussion. It became clear from the attitude of the opposition that they came, making up their mind, that they will not allow the House to function,” Mr. Goyal told reporters.

“Perhaps there is something wrong in their heart. They are worried because there were incidents of violence (during panchayat polls) in Bengal and also there are unfortunate situations in Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan,” the BJP leader said.

While the Trinamool Congress is in power in West Bengal, the Congress has its governments in Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan, both of which go to assembly polls later this year. “Misbehaviour with women is happening in Congress-ruled states. Perhaps, they are running away from a discussion due to this,” Mr. Goyal said. - PTI

Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) supremo Mayawati said, “The whole country is worried about the continue violence and strife in Manipur. The latest incident of indecency to women is especially embarrassing for the BJP and its government.”

“Although the law and order situation in the state has already deteriorated, will the BJP still continue to protect such a chief minister?” she said in a tweet in Hindi. - PTI

The Trinamool Congress slammed the BJP Governments at the Centre and in Manipur, condemning their handling of the ongoing ethnic strife in the northeastern State, and said the “most horrific and barbaric” incidents in independent India are happening there.

The comment from the Mamata Banerjee-led party comes a day after a video of two women being paraded naked in Manipur surfaced. The TMC also alleged that the saffron camp made attempts to “hush up” the incident of two women being paraded naked in the northeastern State.

AAP leader Atishi termed “horrific” a May 4 video of two women being paraded naked in Manipur and hit out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying though he had time to visit foreign countries, he hasn’t yet gone to the strife-hit northeastern State.

ANI

A day after the two-month-old viral video in which two women being paraded naked in Manipur, emerged on social media, former Chief Justice of India Ranjan termed the incident as unfortunate.

However, the Rajya Sabha MP refused to comment on the matter. “There is nothing to comment. It is very sad...Of course, it is very unfortunate,” the former CJI said.

ANI

A day after a video of two women being paraded naked in Manipur surfaced, Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma described the incident as ‘demeaning’.

The JD(U) attacked the Centre and the BJP administration in Manipur asserting that the northeastern State is burning for more than two months even though it has a double-engine government.

Referring to the incident in which two tribal women were paraded naked and molested by a mob at a village in Senapati district, JD(U) president Rajiv Ranjan Singh said it is horrific and shocking.

Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav alleged that the politics of “vote” of the BJP is responsible for the situation in Manipur. He also attacked the ruling party at the Centre over a May 4 video showing two women being paraded naked in the northeastern State’s Senapati district.

“The politics of hate of the RSS and the politics of vote of the BJP are responsible for the situation in Manipur,” Akhilesh Yadav, a member of the newly formed Opposition alliance INDIA, said in a tweet in Hindi.

All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief and Lok Sabha MP Asaduddin Owaisi said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi was compelled to speak on the incident where two women were paraded naked in Manipur only after a video of the episode went viral and triggered public outrage.

The AIMIM MP has urged the Prime Minister to order a CBI investigation into the incident.

Congress leader Shashi Tharoor said he was glad Prime Minister Narendra Modi broke his silence on the ongoing violence in Manipur but in the same breath demanded the PM to make a statement inside the Parliament.

Speaking to ANI, Congress MP said, “Deeply concerned about the fact that Rime Minister Narendra Modi was silent for so long. None of us could understand it. We are very glad that he broke his silence, now we would like him to approach the issue in Parliament to discuss it...”

He said that they want to discuss the situation in Manipur when PM speaks inside the Parliament.

“The PM [Modi] has spoken outside the Parliament, to the media. I am very glad, he has at least raised his voice. Now, let him bring the voice to the Parliament itself,” said, Mr. Tharoor, a senior Congress MP.

A day after a video of two women being paraded naked in Manipur surfaced, Mizoram Chief Minister Zoramthanga said the situation in the neighbouring State “seems to have worsened” and sought immediate action into the matter.

“Silence is not an option,” he said.

Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh said a thorough investigation is underway into the incident of two women being paraded naked in the State over two months ago and strict action, including possible capital punishment, will follow.

He also said there is absolutely no place for such heinous acts in society.

Congress Parliamentary Party leader Sonia Gandhi urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to discuss the Manipur situation in the House, said Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, the party’s leader in the Lok Sabha.

Ms. Gandhi made the demand during her brief conversation with the Prime Minister in the Lok Sabha on the first day of the Monsoon Session Just before the House met for the day, Mr. Modi took a round to greet various leaders. It is customary for leaders to greet each other on the first day of the Parliament session.

As Mr. Modi reached the bench of Opposition leaders, he had a brief conversation with Ms. Gandhi.

PTI

Rights groups have demanded swift action against the perpetrators of sexual assault in Manipur and speedy justice for two Kuki women paraded naked by a mob.

Read here

After Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s remarks on the incident of women being paraded naked in Manipur, the Congress accused him of playing politics by mentioning Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh while “breaking his silence” on the northeastern state and said this was “too little too late” and “mere words won’t do anymore”.

Hitting out at Mr. Modi, Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said after more than 1,800 hours of an “incomprehensible and unforgivable silence”, the Prime Minister finally spoke on Manipur for a sum total of 30 seconds.

He said after this, “The PM tried to divert attention from the colossal governance failures and the humanitarian tragedy in Manipur by equating crimes against women in other States, especially those governed by the Opposition while ignoring atrocities on women in States like Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat”.

PTI

Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot mounted an attack on the BJP over the situation in Manipur, saying the entire country is worried about it.

“It is very sad that the violence in Manipur is not stopping. The entire country is worried about this. Due to the negligence of the BJP, 142 people have died in Manipur so far,” he alleged in a tweet.

Terming the BJP as “Brijbhushan Janata Party’‘, the AAP said the Centre should be held accountable for the alleged parading naked of two women in violence-hit Manipur.

Addressing a press conference, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief spokesperson Priyanka Kakkar demanded strict action against the perpetrators and questioned the delay in identifying them.

“Today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke about the incident and said he was full of anger. Manipur has witnessed violence for nearly 77 days. Why did it take so long so to express this anger?” she asked.

PTI

A day after a video showing two women being paraded naked by some men in Manipur surfaced, several Opposition MPs expressed concern over the situation in the violence-hit State and demanded a statement from Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the matter.

As the Monsoon Session of Parliament started, Opposition leaders referred to the May 4 video of the heinous crime to say the situation in Manipur was unacceptable and accused the BJP governments in the Centre as well as the northeastern State of being unable to control the situation there.

PTI

The National Commission for Women has taken suo motu cognisance of an alleged incident of women being paraded naked in Manipur and asked the State police chief to take prompt action in the matter.

Actors Akshay Kumar and Urmila Matondkar expressed shock over a May 4 video of two women being paraded naked in strife-hit Manipur and demanded punishment for the perpetrators of the “horrifying” incident.

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann condemned the parading of two women naked in Manipur and appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to ensure exemplary action against the perpetrators of the heinous crime. Mr. Mann said such incidents “cannot be tolerated in our society”.

Chief Justice of India Chief (CJI) D.Y. Chandrachud summoned Attorney General of India and Solicitor General of India and told them that the sexual assault and violence on women in Manipur seen in a video circulating on social media is gross violation of human rights in a constitutional democracy.

Read here

The Opposition has decided that a debate on Manipur followed by a reply from Prime Minister Narendra Modi has to be the first order of business in Monsoon Session. The Opposition parties that have come together under the banner of INDIA met today for the first time to chalk out its strategy for the session: Sources

Track latest Parliament Monsoon Session updates here

The Manipur Police arrested one of the main accused who was seen in a May 4 video of two tribal women being paraded naked and molested by a mob at a village in Senapati district, officials said.

They said several police teams were formed immediately after the video of the incident surfaced. One of the people, alleged to be the mastermind, was arrested from Thoubal district, officials said.

The accused was prominently seen in the 26-second clip.

The arrests come more than two months after three women were stripped and paraded by a mob in violence-hit Manipur, one of the women was raped. The video of the incident surfaced a day ago. Internet is suspended in Manipur since May 3.

The Supreme Court said it is “deeply disturbed” by the video of two women in Manipur being paraded naked.

Terming it “simply unacceptable”, a bench headed by Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud directed the Centre and the State Government to take immediate steps and apprise the apex court on what action has been taken.

“We will give a little time to the government to act otherwise we will take action if nothing is happening on the ground,” the Bench, also comprising Justices P.S. Narasimha and Manoj Misra, said.

Read here

Union Home Minister Amit Shah spoke to Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh, a day after a video of two women being paraded naked in Manipur surfaced, sources said. The Home Minister is believed to have directed the Chief Minister to take strict action against those involved in the incident which took place on May 4. Mr. Shah has asked Mr. Singh to take possible steps to nab all those involved in the incident and take appropriate actions as per law, sources said.

PTI

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the alleged incident of women being paraded naked in Manipur has shamed 140 crore Indians, asserting that law will act with its full might and no guilty will be spared.

“My heart is full of pain and anger,” he told reporters in his remarks ahead of Parliament’s Monsoon Session, amid his criticism by Opposition parties for not speaking on the ethnic violence in the north east State.

The Prime Minister requested all Chief Ministers to further strengthen law and order mechanism in their respective States, especially to protect women and to take most stringent action.

Read here

NCP president Sharad Pawar demanded that the Prime Minister’s Office and the Union Home Ministry immediately take necessary steps to restore peace in Manipur, after shocking visuals emerged of two women being paraded naked in the strife-torn State.

The Centre asked Twitter and other social media to take down the video of two Manipuri women being paraded naked as the matter is under investigation.

As per sources, 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 a video of the incident went viral on social media triggering shock and outrage.

According to the sources, “The government has issued an order to Twitter and other social media platforms, instructing them not to share the viral video of the two Manipuri women being paraded nude. It is imperative for the social media platforms to adhere to Indian laws as the matter is currently under investigation.”

ANI

Ahead of the Monsoon session of Parliament that begins Thursday, several opposition MPs have given notices in both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha demanding discussions on the situation in Manipur arising from a fresh controversy as a video of two women being paraded naked surfaced and was widely circulated. -ANI

Union Women and Child Development Minister Smriti Irani has said that she has spoken to Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh over the May 4 video showing two women being paraded naked by some men in the State.

She termed the incident “condemnable and downright inhuman”.

In a tweet on Thursday night, the Union Minister said, “The horrific video of sexual assault of two women emanating from Manipur is condemnable and downright inhuman. Spoke to CM N Biren Singh ji who has informed me that investigation is currently underway and assured that no effort will be spared to bring perpetrators to justice.” Tension mounted in the hills of Manipur after a May 4 video surfaced on Wednesday showing two women from one of the warring communities being paraded naked by a few men from the other side.