Manipur viral video leaves India furious, tensions escalate in state, PM Modi vows action

(Trigger warning: This story mentions incidents of rape, sexual assault and violence)

A shocking video from May 4 has surfaced online, showing two women from one community being paraded naked by men from another community in Manipur.

A day after the video surfaced on the Internet, the key accused was arrested, police said. The accused, identified as Heradas (32), was arrested from Thoubal district on Thursday (July 20).

Police said a case of abduction, gangrape and murder has been registered at Nongpok Sekmai police station in Thoubal district against 'unknown armed miscreants'.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday spoke for the first time on the Manipur situation. Speaking about the May 4 video, the PM said, "The Manipur incident is shameful for any decent society. My heart is full of pain and anger."

"I assure the nation, no guilty will be spared. The law will take its course with all its might. What has happened to daughters of Manipur can never be forgiven," PM Modi said.

#WATCH | Prime Minister Narendra Modi says, "...I assure the nation, no guilty will be spared. Law will take its course with all its might. What happened with the daughters of Manipur can never be forgiven." pic.twitter.com/HhVf220iKV

— ANI (@ANI) July 20, 2023

Expressing concerns over the incident, Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud asked the government to take action. Calling it "simply unacceptable", a bench headed by CJI Chandrachud directed the Centre and the state government to take immediate steps and apprise the apex court on what action has been taken.

The May 4 video

Two women became victims of violence and brutality amid the ongoing ethnic clashes between the Meiteis and Kukis in the state.

The video shows two women, hailing from the Kuki-Zomi community, being paraded naked by a mob led by men in violence-hit Manipur.

The video is said to be two months old, and it was confirmed late Tuesday (July 18) that the victims were first gang-raped by men and later, stripped and forced to be strolled publicly later, reported India Today.

The video was doing the rounds on the eve of a planned protest march announced by the Indigenous Tribal Leaders' Forum (ITLF) on Thursday to highlight their plight, reported PTI.

The Centre has issued an order to Twitter and other social media platforms, instructing them to not share the video. The government, in its instructions, held that it was imperative to adhere to Indian laws and that the matter was under investigation.

What happened

A group of villagers, seeking refuge in a nearby forest, fell victim to an aggressive mob in the May 4 incident in Manipur's Kangpokpi district.

Three women were stripped naked in front of a mob. They were part of a group of five people who were abducted by a mob following the violence that broke out the day before.

The mob also allegedly gangraped one of the women - a 19-year-old, and her brother was killed when he tried to intervene, reported India Today.

Escalating tensions

Following the video going viral, the already tense situation in Manipur escalated further. In response to the disturbing incident and the ongoing violence, the Indigenous Tribal Leaders' Forum (ITLF) announced a planned protest march.

The ITLF called on the Central and state governments, the National Commission for Women, and the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes to take swift action against the culprits responsible.

Government's response and investigations

In response to the video, Manipur CM N Biren Singh condemned the act as a "crime against humanity". The state government launched an investigation to bring the perpetrators to justice swiftly.

Reacting to the video, Union Minister Smriti Irani took to Twitter to call the incident "condemnable and downright inhuman". Smriti Irani also said she dialled Chief Minister Biren Singh, who assured her that "no effort will be spared to bring the perpetrators to justice".

The horrific video of sexual assault of 2 women emanating from Manipur is condemnable and downright inhuman. Spoke to CM @NBirenSingh ji who has informed me that investigation is currently underway & assured that no effort will be spared to bring perpetrators to justice.

— Smriti Z Irani (@smritiirani) July 19, 2023

Outrage and demands for accountability

The video elicited widespread outrage from opposition parties, civil society, and prominent leaders across the country.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi hit out at PM Narendra Modi on Wednesday over the situation in Manipur, saying, "INDIA will not stay silent while the idea of India is being attacked in Manipur."

"PM's silence and inaction has led Manipur into anarchy... We stand with the people of Manipur. Peace is the only way forward," Gandhi said in a tweet.

PM’s silence and inaction has led Manipur into anarchy.

INDIA will not stay silent while the idea of India is being attacked in Manipur.

We stand with the people of Manipur. Peace is the only way forward.

— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) July 19, 2023

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) urged citizens to speak out against the heinous act while refraining from sharing the distressing visuals.

Leaders such as Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi called on the Central government and Prime Minister Narendra Modi to break their silence and address the escalating violence and injustice in Manipur.

मणिपुर की वारदात बेहद शर्मनाक और निंदनीय है। भारतीय समाज में इस तरह की घिनौनी हरकत बर्दाश्त नहीं की जा सकती।

मणिपुर के हालात बेहद चिंताजनक बनते जा रहे हैं। मैं प्रधानमंत्री जी से अपील करता हूँ कि वे मणिपुर के हालातों पर ध्यान दें। इस वारदात की वीडियो में दिख रहे दोषियों पर कड़ी…

— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) July 19, 2023

Tribal leaders' plea for justice

The Indigenous Tribal Leaders' Forum (ITLF) has demanded justice for the victims and their community.

The ITLF urged the Central and state governments, as well as the National Commission for Women and National Commission for Scheduled Tribes, to take immediate note of the horrifying incident and ensure the swift apprehension and prosecution of those responsible.

What is going on in Manipur?

Ethnic clashes have been ongoing in Manipur since May 3, 2023. The violence between the Meitei and Kuki communities has resulted in the deaths of over 160 people and the displacement of thousands more.

The clashes were sparked by a Tribal Solidarity March held in the state's hill districts on May 3 to protest against the Meitei's demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status. The Meitei are the majority community in Manipur, while the Kukis are a tribal group that makes up about 40% of the state's population.

The violence has been particularly intense in the hill districts of Churachandpur, Kangpokpi, and Senapati. Houses have been burnt down, people have been killed, and there have been reports of widespread looting and arson.

The Indian government has deployed thousands of security forces to try to restore order, but the violence has continued. The government has also imposed a curfew in some areas and suspended internet services.

The deep-rooted ethnic divide

Manipur has a long history of ethnic tensions between the Meiteis and Kukis, primarily revolving around resource disputes, political representation, and identity recognition.

The ongoing conflict has deeply affected peace and security in the region.