Manipur Women Paraded Naked: Man Who Led The Mob On May 4 Arrested, Photo From Police Custody Surfaces

NEW DELHI/IMPHAL: In a major breakthrough, the Manipur Police arrested one of the main accused who was seen in the viral video showing two tribal women being paraded naked and molested by a violent mob at a village in Senapati district on May 4. The accused, identified as Huirem Herodas (32), was seen in the 26-second clip that went viral on social media, the Manipur police said in a statement on Wednesday, adding that a case of abduction, gang rape, and murder had been registered at Nongpok Sekmai police station in Thoubal against unknown armed miscreants.

Main Culprit Identified, Arrested: Police

 

The main culprit was wearing a green t-shirt and holding the woman in the viral video. He was arrested this morning in an operation after proper identification. He is from Pechi Awang Leikai, the police said. The state police said that all-out efforts were on to arrest the other culprits at the earliest.

 

Manipur | The main culprit who was wearing a green t-shirt and seen holding the woman was arrested today morning in an operation after proper identification. His name is Huirem Herodas Meitei (32 years) of Pechi Awang Leikai: Govt Sources

(Pic 1: Screengrab from viral video, Pic… pic.twitter.com/e5NJeg0Y2I — ANI (@ANI) July 20, 2023

 

Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh assured that he will ensure strict action is taken against all the perpetrators, including considering the possibility of capital punishment. The video of the shocking crime surfaced on Wednesday. Several police teams were formed immediately and one person, alleged to be the mastermind, was arrested from the Thoubal district. 

The Chief Minister said that after taking suo-moto cognisance of the incident, the police swung into action and made the first arrest in the morning. "My heart goes out to the two women who were subjected to a deeply disrespectful and inhuman act, as shown in the distressing video that surfaced yesterday," Singh tweeted. 

For the unversed, a May 4 video of two Manipuri women being paraded naked and sexually assaulted by a violent mob in riots-hit Manipur's Senapati district went viral on social media on Wednesday, triggering national outrage, strong condemnation from all quarters and demands for stringent punishment for the culprits.

What Happened On May 4 In Manipur?

According to a senior police official, the shocking and shameful incident took place on May 4 in Manipur’s Thoubal district and a case of abduction, gang rape and murder has been registered in the matter. Superintendent of Police (SP), K Meghachandra Singh in a statement on July 19 said: "As regards the video of 2 (two) women paraded naked by unknown armed miscreants on 4th May 2023, a case of abduction, gangrape and murder was registered at Nongpok Sekmai Police Station (Thoubal district) against unknown armed miscreants.” The distressing footage of the May 4 incident shows two women being stripped naked and subjected to continuous harassment by a group of individuals from another community in Manipur. Despite the victims' desperate pleas for mercy and help, the perpetrators callously disregarded their dignity, leaving the entire nation appalled.

No One Will Be Spared: PM Modi

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, this morning said he is pained over the incident and said the incident is "shameful for any civil society." "No accused will be spared, we will never forgive those who are behind this," the Prime Minister said.

Speaking to reporters ahead of the Monsoon session of the Parliament today, PM Modi said, "This a shameful incident for any society. who did this and who is responsible is another issue but this has put our nation to shame. I appeal to all chief ministers to tighten law and order. Whether it is Rajasthan, Chattisgarh or Manipur...the issue of a woman's honour is above all politics.”

Supreme Court Takes Suo Motu Cognisance

The Supreme Court, upon witnessing the appalling Manipur viral naked parade video, has taken suo motu cognisance of the matter. Chief Justice of India (CJI) expressed grave concern over the incident and stated that the court must be informed about the measures taken by the government to ensure justice for the victims. The court has called upon both the central and state governments to apprise it of the actions taken to bring the perpetrators to justice.

Manipur Violence

Manipur has been witnessing violence since May 3, following the protests by the Kuki and Naga communities against the High Court's order asking the state government to consider the inclusion of the Meitei community in the category of Scheduled Tribes (ST). Only STs can buy lands in hilly areas.

The majority Meitei community, which occupies the Imphal Valley and nearby areas, sought the ST status keeping in view their increasing population and increased requirement of land so that they could purchase lands in the hilly areas.