Manipur woman punched, shoved and paraded naked by mob, shares details of horrific May 4 incident

New Delhi: One of the two Manipuri women who were attacked, molested and paraded naked by a violent mob in a village in Senapati district on May 4 – video of the shocking incident went viral on social media , causing national outrage – has sent shivers down the spine – the chilling details of the unfortunate incident that happened that day.

Recounting her ordeal, the 40-year-old woman, who is currently living in a refugee camp in Churachandpur, told reporters that her village was attacked by a violent mob on May 3 – the day the Manipur High Court declared the state The caste clashes took place in protest against the government’s recommendation to grant Scheduled Tribe (ST) status to the Meiteis. The same day, the All Tribal Students’ Union Manipur (ATSUM) held a rally to protest the move, further fueling anger and resentment between the two communities – the Meitei and the Kuki.

‘Take off your clothes or we will kill you’

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The woman further recalled that after hearing that the Meitei mob was “burning down houses” in a nearby village, how she and other surviving families fled the forest to save themselves the next day – May 4 . The woman said that in the morning, she sent her four children to take shelter in a Naga village, not far from her village in Kangpokpi district. She and her husband and eight others hid in a nearby forest to save themselves. But, unfortunately, they were intercepted by the Meitei mob.

She narrated how they were divided into two groups and she and the other woman seen in the viral video were taken towards the main road along with her brother and father.

People in the crowd touched, punched and kicked him

The 40-year-old woman recalled that the mob burnt all her belongings and then dragged her towards the main road. They punched, kicked and tore her clothes and grabbed her breasts. Meanwhile, another woman and her younger brother hid in a police jeep parked on the main road. However, they could not escape the raging mob. He further said that there were two policemen and a driver there but they did nothing to help him. After being let off by the policemen, the angry mob thrashed the little girl’s father and brother to death and threw their bodies into the drain.

The mob then turned towards the two women and dragged them to a roadside paddy field and forced them to strip. This happened when someone from the crowd recorded the entire incident – the video has now gone viral.

The elderly woman further said that the “Meitei mob” threatened to kill her if she did not remove her clothes. “When we protested, they said, ‘If you don’t take off your clothes, we will kill you.’
Recalling the horror, the woman said, “To save ourselves, we did what we were told. I begged him to leave me. I told them that I am a mother, but they showed no mercy.

National outrage over Manipur incident

A video of this horrific incident went viral on social media after which the Biren Singh government swung into action. Manipur Police has so far arrested 4 persons in connection with the incident and efforts are on to nab other culprits.

Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh on Thursday said the four convicts involved in the shocking incident of alleged sexual assault and stripping of two women by a mob in a village in Senapati district on May 4 have been arrested in “less than 24 hours” after a video went viral on social media. The CM said all efforts are on to arrest the other culprits who were part of the mob that attacked two women, decapitated them and gang-raped one of them on May 4. “It is a crime against humanity, will not spare anyone: CM N Biren Singh said while addressing a press conference on the shocking Manipur incident.

Earlier in a major breakthrough, the Manipur police arrested one of the main accused, who was seen in the viral video in which two tribal women were paraded naked and molested by a violent mob in a village in Senapati district on May 4. Was shown doing.

The Manipur Police in a statement on Wednesday said the accused, identified as Huirem Herodas (32), was seen in the 26-second clip that went viral on social media, alleging a case of kidnapping, gang rape and murder. A case has been registered against unidentified armed miscreants at Nongpok Sekmai police station in Thoubal.

Chief Minister N Biren Singh assured that he would ensure that strict action is taken against all the culprits, including considering the possibility of capital punishment. The video of the heart-wrenching crime surfaced on Wednesday. Immediately several police teams were formed and a person allegedly said to be the mastermind was arrested from Thoubal district.

The Chief Minister said that after taking suo motu cognizance 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 the most demeaning and inhuman act as shown in the disturbing video that surfaced yesterday,” Singh tweeted.

Case registered for kidnapping, gang rape and murder

A video of two Manipuri women being paraded naked and sexually assaulted by a violent mob in Senapati district of riot-hit Manipur on May 4 went viral on social media on Wednesday, triggering national outrage, strong condemnation from all quarters and calls for severe punishment for the culprits.

According to a senior police officer, the shocking and shameful incident took place in Manipur’s Thoubal district on May 4 and a case of kidnapping, gang rape and murder has been registered in the matter. Superintendent of Police (SP) K Meghchandra Singh said in a statement on July 19: “In connection with the video of 2 (two) women being paraded naked by unidentified armed miscreants on 4th May 2023, a case of kidnapping, gang rape and murder was registered.” at Nongpok Sekmai Police Station (Thoubal District) against unknown armed miscreants.” Tragic footage of the May 4 incident shows two women in Manipur being stripped naked and subjected to continuous harassment by a group of men from another community. Despite the victims pleading for mercy and help, the perpetrators mercilessly disregarded their dignity and abandoned them. The whole country was shocked.

No one will be spared: PM Modi

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi this morning said he was saddened by the incident and said the incident was “shameful for any civil society.” The Prime Minister said, “No accused will be spared, we will never forgive those who are behind this.”

Speaking to reporters ahead of the Monsoon Session of Parliament today, PM Modi said, “It is a shameful incident for any society. Who did it and who is responsible is a separate issue but it has brought shame to our country.” . I appeal to all chief ministers to tighten law and order. Be it Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh or Manipur… The issue of a woman’s honor is above all politics.”

Supreme Court took suo motu cognizance

The Supreme Court has taken suo motu cognizance of the matter after watching the horrifying viral nude parade video from Manipur. The Chief Justice of India (CJI) expressed grave concern over the incident and said that the court should be informed about the steps taken by the government to ensure justice for the victims. The court asked both the central and state governments to inform it about the action taken to bring the culprits to justice.

manipur violence

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

The majority Meitei community living in the Imphal Valley and surrounding areas sought ST status keeping in view their growing population and increasing need for land so that they could buy land in hilly areas.