In Manipur, a distressing video has surfaced, showing the heinous sexual assault of two women from the Meitei and Kuki communities amidst the ongoing violent conflict that has persisted for the past two and a half months. Prior to the monsoon session of Parliament, Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the media, expressing profound anguish over the incident. He unequivocally stated that such acts bring dishonor to the nation, and those responsible will not evade justice. This was the first time PM Modi openly spoke about the ongoing violence in Manipur, prompting questions from the opposition about his prior silence on the matter.
According to the report published by the English newspaper Indian Express, the incident occurred on May 4th in Thoubal district, Manipur, where the women were subjected to the sexual assault. The Manipur police have confirmed the incident and lodged an FIR against unidentified individuals for charges of abduction, gang rape, and murder. An investigation into the case has been initiated, leading to the arrest of one person in connection with the crime.
The Supreme Court has taken suo moto cognizance of the incident and scheduled a hearing on July 28th to address the matter. The release of the video has elicited strong reactions from leaders of both the ruling and opposition parties.
Opposition parties, including Congress, have criticized the ruling BJP for not taking decisive action in response to the situation in Manipur. Conversely, Smriti Irani, the Minister for Women and Child Development, has assured that she has personally communicated with Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh and emphasized that no effort will be spared in apprehending the culprits.
The Indigenous Tribal Leaders Forum of Manipur has vehemently condemned the incident and called upon the state government, central government, National Commission for Women, and National Scheduled Tribes Commission to take immediate action to ensure justice for the victims. The National Commission for Women has also condemned the incident, describing the video as promoting violence and being a criminal matter.
As per the filed FIR, the incident occurred on May 3rd when a mob of 800 to 1000 armed individuals attacked the victims’ village in Thoubal district, setting it on fire and looting it. In response, the two women, along with the young woman’s father and brother, sought refuge in the jungle to escape the violence.
The victims’ complaint further states that while the police initially succeeded in rescuing them, the mob intercepted them about two kilometers away from the police station. The assailants forcibly took the women from police custody and allegedly subjected the young woman to a public gang rape.
According to the FIR, all three women were forcibly stripped naked and compelled to walk in front of the mob, while the young woman was subjected to a public gang rape. Tragically, her 19-year-old brother attempted to protect her but was also attacked and killed.
It is essential to note that this summary is based on the information provided in the Indian Express report, and efforts have been made to ensure it is free from plagiarism. However, it is crucial to refer to the original news source for comprehensive and accurate details on the incident.