Manipur horror video: PM Modi, CM N Biren Singh vow to punish culprits; key accused arrested

According to reports, the incident had taken place in Kangpokpi district, a day after ethnic violence had erupted in the northeast state in early May.

The video of the egregious act came to light two months later, on Wednesday, shaking the already tumultuous situation in Manipur, where ethnic clashes between the Kukis and the Meiteis have, so far, claimed at least 80 lives and over 40,000 people displaced from their homes.

Amid massive national outrage, Manipur Police registered a case of abduction, gangrape, and murder taking cognisance of the viral video.

The key accused, identified as Heradas (32), was arrested at around 1.30 am on the intervening night of Wednesday and Thursday in Thoubal district, India Today reported.

The police identified him with the help of the video in which he was seen wearing a green T-shirt, the report said.

Image: Key accused Huirem Herodas Meitei (32) was arrested in Thoubal dist

Three more arrests were made hours later in connection with the case.

Ahead of the start of the monsoon session of parliament, Prime Minister Narendra Modi assured the country that all the perpetrators involved in the heinous crime will be brought to justice.

"As I stand next to this temple of democracy, my heart is filled with pain and anger. The Manipur incident is shameful for any civilised nation. The entire country has been shamed,” PM Modi said.

“I want to assure the nation, no guilty will be spared. Action will be taken according to the law. What happened to the daughters of Manipur can never be forgiven."

Supreme Court demands action

The Supreme Court on Thursday took suo motu cognisance of the "deeply disturbing"  video from Manipur.

"Use of women as an instrument of violence in a charged atmosphere is completely unacceptable", a bench of the Supreme Court, headed by the Chief Justice of India (CJI) Dr Dhananjaya Yeshwant Chadrachud said and granted one week time to the state and Central governments to give details about what steps have been taken.

The CJI said, "The government should really step in and take action. It's simply unacceptable. It's deeply disturbing. Grossest of constitutional and human rights violations."

Manipur CM promises strict action

Promising appropriate and strict action, including a possible capital punishment, against all those involved in the "deeply disrespectful and inhumane act”, the Manipur Chief Minister said one person has already been arrested.

“My heart goes 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-motu cognisance of the incident immediately after the video surfaced, the Manipur Police swung to action and made the first arrest this morning,” N Biren said in a statement.

The Manipur Police has launched an extensive search to nab the culprits, forming as many as 12 teams to speed up arresting the accused individuals involved in the heinous crime.

The events before the crime

As per the police complaint, on the day of the incident, a large group of around 800 to 1,000 people, armed with sophisticated weapons, entered B. Phainom village.

They went on a rampage vandalising, looting properties, and setting houses on fire.

These miscreants were suspected to have links with Meitei organizations.

Amidst the chaos, five villagers—two men and three women—took refuge in the nearby forest to escape the violence.

A team from Nongpok Sekmai Police later rescued them and began escorting them to the police station. Unfortunately, during this process, the mob abducted them.

The mob killed one of the men immediately and then subjected the three women to a horrifying ordeal. They stripped the women, and one of the women, aged 21, was brutally gang-raped. When her 19-year-old brother tried to intervene, he was also murdered by the mob.

When it all started

Violence erupted in Manipur nearly two-and-a-half months following clashes between the Kuki and the Meitei tribes.

The disturbances erupted on May 3 in the Churachandpur district and engulfed other places soon, as multiple incidents of arson and killing were reported the next day on May 4.

The continuing violence has taken a toll of 100 lives and displaced 6000 people. At least 3000 houses have been burnt.

Centre directs social media platforms to stop the video

On Thursday, the Centre ordered Twitter and other social media platforms to stop the circulation of the viral video of the horrifying incident in Manipur where two women were stripped and paraded by a crowd of a rival community, media reports said.

In its order, the government underscored the importance of adhering to Indian laws, given that the matter was under investigation.

Opposition demands discussion in parliament

The video has elicited widespread condemnation from various quarters, with the Opposition urging for an immediate all-party delegation to be sent to Manipur.

The Congress has called for a discussion in Parliament on the situation in Manipur, where violence since May 3 has resulted in multiple fatalities.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi said that the government is prepared for a discussion on the Manipur situation during the upcoming Monsoon Session of Parliament.

However, he expressed concern over the opposition's demand for a statement by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the issue, referring to it as a "caveat for disruption."