Manipur Women Paraded Naked: Police Clarify Reasons for Delayed Response

The shocking video depicting two Kuki Zo women paraded naked and allegedly brutally raped by a mob of Meitei men has stirred mass outcry, raising several troubling questions. The first and foremost query revolves around why immediate investigation and arrests were not made when the perpetrators' faces were clearly visible in the video.

The incident reportedly occurred on May 4, following violence between the minority Kuki community and the Hindu-majority Meitei community in Manipur. However, swift action in the case only gained momentum after the video went viral on Wednesday.

Multiple sub-narratives have emerged, shedding light on the events leading up to the appalling incident. Still, the lingering question remains: How could two women be taken away while police officials were supposedly escorting them to safety? Moreover, how could such a heinous crime occur merely two kilometers away from a police station, yet it took over two months for authorities to respond?

A senior police official from the Manipur Police attributed the delayed action to a purported "lack of evidence."

Following widespread criticism of the Chief Minister N Biren Singh and the Manipur Police for their inaction, four individuals have now been arrested.

The FIR regarding the sexual assault, which occurred on May 4 in Manipur's Kangpokpi district, reportedly took over a month to be transferred to the relevant police station. This delay was due to the victims having fled their homes and initially lodging a complaint in another district.

Thoubal Superintendent of Police, Sachidananda, explained that they couldn't take action earlier due to the chaotic situation at the Nongpok Sekmai police station, where people were attempting to loot arms, thus diverting the police's focus.

One of the victims previously stated that the police were present during the mob's attack on their village. The police allegedly picked them up from near their homes, took them a short distance away, and left them on the road with the mob. As per her account, they were handed over to the mob by the police.

The incident came to light when the village chief, Thangboi Vaiphei, filed a ZERO FIR against unknown individuals on May 18. The ZERO FIR was eventually forwarded to the relevant police station on June 21. The family was eventually rescued by a police team from the Nongpok Samai police station, located 2 km away. However, the mob intercepted them, snatched the victims from police custody, and went on to assault them and parade them naked. Tragically, the mob also killed the younger victim's 19-year-old brother when he tried to intervene.

As the horrifying details continue to emerge, the incident highlights the urgency for justice and swift action in addressing such heinous crimes.