Manipur Women Paraded Naked: Four Arrested After Outrage Over Incident

Four accused involved in the mob that paraded two tribal women naked in Manipur's Kangpokpi district, as seen in a viral video, have been arrested. The incident, allegedly filmed on May 4, caused escalating tension in the state when the video emerged on Wednesday, depicting two women from one community being paraded naked by a mob from the other side.

Reports suggest that the two women were also sexually assaulted before being released by the majority community mob.

Addressing the media, Chief Minister Biren Singh expressed shock and referred to the incident as "a crime against humanity." He asserted that efforts would be made to seek capital punishment for all the accused, and the hunt for the culprits commenced immediately upon viewing the video.

Earlier, in response to nationwide outcry, the Manipur Police arrested one of the main accused, Huirem Heradash Singh, who was prominently seen directing the mob in the 26-second video. Authorities are currently conducting a manhunt to apprehend others involved.

Taking suo motu cognizance of the video, the police registered a case of abduction, gang rape, and murder against unknown armed men at the Nongpok Sekmai police station in Thoubal district.

The police, under the supervision of senior IPS officers, are conducting night-long raids in an all-out effort to apprehend the culprits as swiftly as possible.

In the aftermath of the incident, villagers set fire to the house of the accused, Heradash Singh, and have also ostracized his family.

The ethnic violence, which began on May 3, has claimed the lives of more than 160 people and left several others injured. The unrest was sparked when a 'Tribal Solidarity March' was organized in the hill districts to protest against the Meitei community's demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status.

The Meiteis, constituting around 53 percent of Manipur's population, primarily reside in the Imphal Valley, while the tribals, including Nagas and Kukis, make up approximately 40 percent of the population and predominantly inhabit the hill districts.