Manipur horrifying video: Opposition slams govt, SC takes suo moto notice; PM Modi promises justice

Hyderabad: Shock and anger have gripped the nation after Kuki women were raped and paraded naked in Manipur.

The images and video of the horrifying act of violence went viral soon after it surfaced on different social media platforms.

On Thursday, the Supreme Court said it is “deeply disturbed" by the video. The Centre and the state government were asked to take immediate steps and apprise the apex court of what action had been taken.

According to the news reports, a video that is circulating on social media, shows two Kuki women being paraded naked by a mob. The incident occurred in B Phainom village in Kangpokpi district on May 4. The video shows several men, apparently Meiteis, walking alongside the two women as they are led into some fields.

Manipur has been witnessing ethnic clashes since May 3 between the majority Meitei community, concentrated in the Imphal valley, and the tribal Kukis, occupying the hills. Over 160 people have been killed in the violence so far.

On Thursday, the Manipur police arrested the main accused in the case. The master-mind behind the incident was prominently seen in the 26-second clip.

Manipur police have registered a case of abduction, gangrape, and murder at Nongpok Sekmai PS (Thoubal District) against unknown armed miscreants and the investigation has been started.

No rapists will be spared: Modi

Breaking his silence, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday spoke on the Manipur violence before the start of the Monsoon sessions of parliament.

"The Manipur incident has shamed 140 crore Indians. My heart is full of pain and anger. No rapists will be spared. I appeal to all CMs to further strengthen law and order mechanism in their respective states, especially to protect women and to take most stringent action We should rise above politics to protect women, said Modi.

The prime minister requested all chief ministers Prime Minister assured the nation that no guilty would be spared. "What has happened to daughters of Manipur can never be forgiven," he said.

Supreme Court to act if govt does not

The Supreme Court on Thursday took suo motu cognizance of a video that is going viral. Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud said the Court was deeply disturbed by the video and it will act if the government does not.

"Using women as an instrument in an area of communal strife. Grossest of constitutional abuse. We are deeply disturbed by the videos that have emerged. If the govt does not act we will," CJI said.

The bench also comprising Justices PS Narasimha and Manoj Misra then sought the response of the central and state governments on the steps taken by it to book the perpetrators.

The Court directed that the matter be listed on July 28.

KTR urges PM to save Manipur

BRS party working president & Minister KT Rama Rao expressed deep concern and anguish over the distressing incident in Manipur. In a tweet, KTR drew attention to the alarming situation and the need for immediate action to address the issue.

"We Indians were raging against the Taliban when they were disrespecting children & women. Now in our own country, Kuki women being paraded naked and sexually assaulted by the Meitei mob in Manipur is a distressing & nauseous reminder of how barbarism has been normalized in new India! All this horrifying violence & complete breakdown of law and order while the Union Govt watches in absolute silence. Where are you PM @narendramodi Ji and HM @AmitShah Ji while every shred of dignity in Manipur is burning? Please set aside everything and use all your time and energy to #SaveManipur." the tweet read.

Floor leaders and MPs in both houses of the parliament will raise the issue of Manipur Violence and ensure that the Union Government acts decisively. The perpetrators of the heinous molestation should be punished swiftly as per law

KTR appealed to all parties cutting across the political spectrum to stand with the peace loving people of Manipur who deserve better from their Governments

Congress slams the Centre

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge accused PM Narendra Modi's government of turning democracy into "mobocracy". He said that "humanity has died in Manipur" and asked Modi to speak about the ethnic violence-hit state in Parliament and tell the nation what happened.

"PM's silence and inaction have 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," said Congress leader Rahul Gandhi.

AIMIM asks for justice

AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi asked the BJP-led government to react to the incident. "The @PMOIndia at last spoke on Manipur after 2 Months of continuing Genocide of Kuki tribes, question that the Govt must answer but for the horrible video will Modi have reacted? Will BJP CM of Manipur give justice to the 160 killed, many women who have been raped, fifty thousand who have been displaced NO NO," Tweeted Owaisi.

Moved adjournment motion

Congress MP Jothimani moved the adjournment motion to discuss the situation in Manipur in today's Parliament session.

She stated that Manipur has been burning for more than two months now. Around 142 people have died and more than 40,000 people including children have been displaced in Manipur. There are heart-wrenching visuals. If this doesn't shake our conscience, if this doesn't shake the collective conscience of our nation, what else will?

"Starkly, the state government in Manipur has failed in protecting its people and containing the violence. The Prime Minister has neither uttered a single word about violence in Manipur nor has deemed it fit to visit the suffering people there," she said in her statement.

Breakdown of Law & Order

Condemning the incident, Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh took to Twitter to express shock at the extreme breakdown of law and order in the state. He wrote, "78 days since full-scale ethnic violence broke out in Manipur. 77 days since the ghastly incident where two women were stripped, paraded, and allegedly raped. 63 days since an FIR was filed against unknown persons and the culprits are STILL at large. The rest of India had little clue that such a horrific incident occurred due to the ongoing internet ban in Manipur. But it's inexcusable that the Women and Child Development Minister waited for 76 days to speak to the CM of Manipur."