Centre To Handover Manipur Parade Viral Video Incident To CBI

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Thursday decided to refer the Manipur viral video case to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

The Centre will also file an affidavit in Supreme Court on Friday requesting the trial of the viral video case to take place outside Manipur.

The Centre has told the Supreme Court that the approach of the Central government is of "zero tolerance towards any crimes against women". It has taken a decision, with the consent of the Manipur government, to entrust the investigation of the viral video of two women to the CBI.

"The Central Government considers the offences like the present one to be too heinous which deserve to be betaken not only with the seriousness it deserves but justice should be seen to be done so that it has a deterrent effect throughout the nation with respect to crimes against women," the Centre said in its affidavit on viral video.

It has to be noted that the probe into five of the more serious cases involving the Manipur clashes has already been handed over to the CBI, while the NIA is investigating three cases.

Last week, a video hit the internet showing two women from one of the warring communities being paraded naked by a few men from the other side. The incident reportedly occurred on May 4 but the clip surfaced online only on July 19.

The horrific incident has been condemned from all quarters with the Opposition parties cornering the ruling BJP over the law and order situation in Manipur.

They have also targeted the Modi-led BJP government, demanding the Prime Minister make a statement in the Parliament.

The ethnic violence broke out in Manipur on May 3 when a 'Tribal Solidarity March' was organised in the hill districts to protest against the Meitei community's demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status. Since then, 160 people have lost their lives.

On the other hand, the cops have arrested several people in connection with the incident.

Days ago, the suspension of broadband internet connection was "lifted conditionally in a liberalised manner" in trouble-hit Manipur.

People with a static IP connection can now access the internet in a limited way, the government order said on Tuesday. Internet was suspended after the ethnic clashes broke out in May. However, the mobile internet continues to be banned in the state.

"Connection will be only through static IP and that the subscriber concerned shall not accept any other connection other than allowed for the time being [TSP/ISP shall be held responsible for non-compliance of this condition]," the government notification said.