Manipur horror: First arrest made, capital punishment on the cards, says CM Biren Singh

PTC News Desk: Manipur Police have made their first arrest in connection with the video of two women being paraded naked in Manipur in May this year, state minister N Biren Singh said on Thursday.

"We arrested the main culprit last night around 1.30 a.m.," Manipur's chief minister said. A video of the two-month-old incident went viral, sparking harsh reactions from several political parties and triggering outrage.

The Manipur chief minister said, "This is an inhumane act...so we have condemned it immediately...we have instructed police to act immediately and arrest the culprits."

"Every man, every human being, will condemn this act," Singh said, adding that they will seek punishment for those responsible "to the maximum extent possible."

"I was shocked when I saw the video, and after seeing it, I inquired about the incident, which occurred on May 4...but this video leaked 40 days later." "I ordered mass combing operations...and we arrested one suspect last night," Manipur's chief minister stated.

According to a senior police official, the incident occurred on May 4 in Manipur's Thoubal district, and a case of kidnapping, sexual assault, and murder has been filed.

In a statement issued on July 19, Superintendent of Police (SP) K Meghachandra Singh stated, "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."

Earlier, Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Das stated in a tweet that stern action would be taken against all culprits, including the possibility of capital punishment.

"After taking a Suo-motu cognizance of the incident immediately after the video surfaced, the Manipur Police swung to action and made the first arrest this morning. A thorough investigation is currently underway and we will ensure strict action is taken against all the perpetrators, including considering the possibility of capital punishment," the Manipur CM said.

"Let it be known, there is absolutely no place for such heinous acts in our society."

Manipur Violence

Manipur has been rocked by violence since May 3, after 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 are allowed to purchase land in hilly areas.

The majority Meitei community, which resides in the Imphal Valley and surrounding areas, sought ST status in order to purchase property in the mountainous areas due to their growing population and rising need for land.

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