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PremiumManipur Violence LIVE News Updates: Tension escalated in Manipur's hills as a video of May 4 emerged on social media, showing men from one community parading two women naked from the opposing side.
On of the survivor, who luckily escaped, said. “When we resisted, they told me: ‘If you don’t take off your clothes, we will kill you’, Then as she obeyed them to “protect herself", the men allegedly slapped and punched her.
She added that the men dragged to a paddy field near the road and asked her to “lie down" there. “I did as they told me, and three men surrounded me… One of them told the other, ‘let’s rape her."
Meanwhile, Police registered main suspect, Heradas (32), has been arrested in Thoubal district. And CM Biren Singh promised to take strict action against the accused.
Stay with LiveMint to catch LIVE updates on the Manipur violence news.
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Friday expressed displeasure over the Manipur incident and said that strict punishment should be given to the accused.
“It was a very sad and unfortunate incident. It fills the heart with pain and sorrow. Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh has said and the country also wants that the strict punishment should be given to the accused. CM Biren Singh has expressed his resolve," CM Chouhan said.
Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) women wing on Friday announced that the party will hold a protest against the Union Government for failing to stop harassment against women in Manipur.
According to an official statement, DMK Women's Wing Secretary and MP Kanimozhi will lead the protest which will be held in Tamil Nadu's Chennai on July 23.
Assam Chief Minister and Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Himanta Biswa Sarma on Friday alleged a political conspiracy in ‘leaking’ the 26 second video showcasing the sexual harassment meted out to two Kuki Zo women by a mob of Meitei men in violence strife Manipur.
Sarma claimed that incidents of rape are much higher in some opposition-ruled states like West Bengal, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh than BJP-ruled Manipur or other northeastern provinces.
"The case (regarding the incident) was registered long back, video was available. It was leaked a day before the commencement of the Parliament session. So, some kind of political things are involved," he added.
A woman shaved her head here in Goa on Friday as a mark of protest against atrocities on women in violence-affected Manipur. A group of like-minded citizens organised a protest at the Azad Maidan in Panaji condemning alleged sexual assault on two women, captured in a viral video, and other atrocities in the north-eastern state where ethnic clashes have been taking place for more than two months.
Amid ethnic violence in Manipur that also took a sexual harassment turn after a viral video showing a mob of Meitei men parading a Kuki Zo woman, who was forced to strip naked came to the forefront, an organisation of former militants has asked Meiteis from Manipur to leave Mizoram for their "own safety" citing "anger among Mizo youths".
Peace Accord MNF Returnees' Association (PAMRA) said, "The situation in Mizoram has become tense and it is no longer safe for Meitei people from Manipur to live in Mizoram in the wake of barbaric and heinous acts committed by miscreants in Manipur."
"The PAMRA appeals to all Meitei people in Mizoram to leave for their home state as a safety measure," the statement read.
AAP Rajya Sabha MP from Punjab Raghav Chadha on Friday demanded that Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh should be sacked and President's rule be imposed in the state, which is engulfed in violence since May 3.
He also filed an adjournment notice under rule 267 for suspension of business notice in the House, saying the situation in Manipur is of paramount importance and demands urgent attention.
Chadha said his appeal to suspend all listed business and convene a special session to discuss the Manipur situation reflects the collective demand of the opposition MPs, who are deeply concerned about the escalating crisis in the northeastern state.
The MP also sought to corner Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the issue, saying in 2017, he himself tweeted that those who cannot ensure peace in the state have no right to govern Manipur.
The Congress on Friday accused the government of not being serious on having a debate on the situation in Manipur and demanded that President Droupadi Murmu exercise her powers to dismiss the state government.
"Who is running away from a discussion. They want to make it a formality. I challenge the government, if they are serious, they should start a debate on Monday morning itself. The debate should carry on indefinitely till all parties express their views, including the treasury benches. We want the prime minister to give his statement on Manipur in Parliament," said Congress deputy leader in Rajya Sabha Pramod Tiwari
"The video came out for the first time on July 18-19. Manipur CM N Biren Singh and the BJP Govt knew about this. Home Minister Amit Shah knew about it for a month, and PM Modi also knew about it. What happened to their conscience? As soon as the video came out, there was an uproar in the entire country. As a result, the accused was arrested within 24 hours...The Modi Govt and Manipur's BJP Govt are trying to push the people of the state into violence," says Congress leader Randeep Singh Surjewala on Manipur viral video
Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) on Friday expressed its deep concern and condemnation regarding several incidents of violence in Manipur including women being paraded naked by a group of armed men.
"Such incidents in Manipur which have been taking place since have not only brought suffering among the people of Manipur but also have led to the loss of several lives," SCBA said.
Advocate Rohit Pandey, Secretary of Supreme Court Bar Association said that the Executive Committee has expressed its deep concern over the incidents which have tarnished the humanitarian ethics to its core.
"We categorically condemn the gender-based violence and humiliation as it has far-reaching consequences on the victims' physical and psychological well-being," SCBA said.
All the four accused, who were allegedly part of a mob that disrobed and paraded two women in Manipur on May 4, were remanded to 11-day police custody on Friday, police said.
The arrests were made on Thursday, a day after the 26-second video surfaced on July 19.
Opposition parties for a second straight day blocked proceedings and demanded the sacking of the Manipur chief Minister N Biren Singh and his government. The official, CM N Biren Singh, Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP).
The opposition shouted slogans demanding that all other parliamentary business be postponed and that a debate be launched on the violence, starting with a statement by Modi.
Violence in Manipur that broke out on 3 May, saw the death of at least 130 people, and several displaced. In the latest update, a viral video has emerged which show that two minority Kuki Zo women were sexually harassed by a mob of majority Meitei community men on 4 May and the Manipur authorities had taken no action till yesterday.
"Action should be taken against the culprits as soon as possible. The PM has already said that no one will be spared," Rajya Sabha MP and former cricketer Harbhajan Singh
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aditya Thackeray on Friday joined the mass voice pf criticism demanding the resignation of Manipur Chief Minister Biren Singh.
The Shiv Sena (UBT) on Friday also demanded imposition of President's rule after shocking visuals emerged showing two women being paraded naked in the violence-torn northeastern state.
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader and former Maharashtra minister Aaditya Thackeray said the horrific incident in Manipur has maligned the image of the country in the world.
Renowned filmmaker Aparna Sen tagged the incident "narimedh yagna" (woman sacrifice). The director of movies like 'Mr and Mrs Iyer', '36 Chowringhee Lane' and 'Ghare Baire Aaj' broke down while talking to reporters and said, “I don't know what to say or how to react to such a happening ... All I can see is a narimedh yagna has taken place (in Manipur). Will it matter if I open my mouth? We have been giving our opinions for years. Have those mattered?"
Bengali actor Parambrata Chatterjee told PTI that the video has "stunned" him into silence. "I cannot believe that it actually happened when I see it. I shudder to think that this could have actually occurred in a civilised society. What has disturbed me mentally and shocked me more is that such an incident could happen in my country."
Painter Samir Aich said the shocking visuals of Manipur in the video, which surfaced on July 19 are a "blot" on the country. "It makes us wonder if we can take pride that the situation in our country is better than in Taliban-ruled Afghanistan."
DCW chief Swati Maliwal on Manipur viral video case, says, "Whatever has happened with the two girls in Manipur is shameful...The CM of Manipur has said that this is not an isolated case & this has been happening over a period of time...such serious complaints were received by NCW & they haven't taken any action. I will be going to Manipur the day after tomorrow, and I will review the situation of sexual assault against women there and find out what all steps & compensation have been taken with regard to the incident of the two girls who were paraded naked, brutally assaulted & raped..."
"It is wrong that NCW was sitting on the complaints. There are some people who are there to malign NCW and the Govt of India that we are not doing anything. This is wrong. Again, I would like to clarify that whenever the complaints came, we forwarded and wrote to DG and CS of Manipur," says NCW Chief Rekha Sharma on Manipur viral video
All four accused remanded to 11-day police custody, say Manipur police in the viral video case.
Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera on Friday asked why cannot Prime Minister Narendra Modi appeal to people of Manipur to unite together?
"If PM Modi can go to Manipur to seek votes why can't he go there to appeal to people to unite together? Now, this country has hope only from the President who should dismiss the state government," asked Pawan Khera.
The Mizoram State Commission for Women (MSCW) on Friday termed the Manipur incident as “unforgivable."
It wrote to the National Commission for Women and its Manipur counterpart urging them to take immediate action against the perpetrators of the gruesome crime, MSCW chairperson Lallawmchhungi said.
"The commission is deeply concerned about the video in which two disrobed women are being forced to walk with hundreds of men behind them in Manipur. The act is unforgivable," she told reporters in Aizawl.
"We appeal to people to immediately stop any form of violence against women," she said.
The Manipur CM N Biren Singh has been facing increased demands for his resignation, after the incidence of sexual harrasment meted out to two KuKi Zo women by a mob of Meitei men came to the forefront.
Amid renewed calls for his resignation and the ruckus in Parliament over a viral video Manipur, purportedly showing two women being paraded in the nude, Chief Minister N Biren Singh on Friday evaded a question on the demand for him to step down, saying his job was to restore peace to the state and ensure that the perpetrators of the alleged incident in the viral video are brought to book.
BJP MP Gautam Gambhir on Friday termed the incident of two women being paraded naked in Manipur "extremely shameful" and said he feels ashamed to call himself an Indian.
The cricketer-turned-BJP MP from East Delhi told reporters on the sidelines of an event that Manipur-like incidents are not a common occurrence and it is the duty of the state's chief minister to not let these happen.
"It is extremely shameful. I feel ashamed to call myself an Indian because the issue is not only limited to Manipur. It has lowered the head of the entire country, so it should not be politicised," Gambhir said.
Rajya Sabha proceedings were on Friday washed out for the second day in a row amid uproar by the opposition over the Manipur situation and other issues.
The house, which was adjourned in the morning session over the Manipur issue and the Opposition raising objections to the Chair expunging certain words from the record, witnessed uproarious scenes when it reassembled post-lunch.
The officials present in violence strife Manipur have sought more women forces to handle vigilante groups. More women battalion are needed in Manipur to tackle those posing as 'Meira Paibis' (women torch bearers) as they have not only "prevented" movement of central paramilitary forces in the strife-torn state but also "helped" in carrying out serious crimes, according to security officials.
The Assam Rifles has a skeletal presence of women and the officials feel that they are not trained for a law-and-order situation.
Assam Independent MLA Akhil Gogoi on Friday demanded President’s Rule in Manipur, alleging that the ongoing violence in the neighbouring state is the "design of the RSS and BJP".
The Raijor Dal party chief also sought the resignation of the N Biren Singh-led state government in the neighbouring state for allegedly failing to control the situation.
“Manipur is burning and the PM’s statement on it came after 77 days following a video of grave atrocities on women," Priyanka Gandhi said in poll-bound Madhya Pradesh.
Even in that statement he politicised the issue and named the states ruled by opposition parties, she said.
Manipur CM N Biren Singh, who has been facing increased demands for his resignation, on Friday said, people of the state consider “women as their mother" but the miscreants who attacked and stripped two tribal women naked in May, whose video has drawn nation-wide condemnation, has “tarnished the state’s reputation."
The chief minister said protests were launched across the northeastern state to condemn the incident.
Opposition MPs who have submitted notices in both houses of the parliament to discuss the violence in Manipur stalled the proceedings on Friday.
"Manipur needs complete attention and we demand the prime minister make an elaborate statement in the parliament," said Mallikarjun Kharge, the president of opposition Congress party.
According to police and videos that have been circulated on social media, women in Manipur attacked the house of the main suspect in a sexual assault case that has enraged the nation.
The person allegedly dragged two tribal women onto the streets in May and later incited a mob to rape and parade them naked, police said on Friday, as ethnic clashes engulfed the state.
"Local women pelted stones and burnt some parts of the house belonging to the prime accused in a village," said Hemant Pandey, a senior police official in capital city Imphal.
A senior cop has said that the investigation and subsequent arrest in the sexual harassment case of two Kuki Zo women that took place on 4 May was delayed because there was lack of evidence.
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West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and asked if the incident hurt him.
Mamata Banerjee said, "I want to ask PM Modi did the incident in Manipur not hurt you even a little? You point fingers at West Bengal but don't you have love for sisters and mothers? Till when daughters will be burnt, Dalits, minorities will be killed, people will be killed?"
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The husband of one of two women paraded naked and molested by a group of men in Manipur is a Kargil war veteran who rued that though he protected the country but could not save his wife from being humiliated.
The incident which sparked condemnation countrywide came to light when a video shot on May 4 surfaced on Wednesday night.
The husband had served the Indian Army as a Subedar of the Assam Regiment. (PTI)
National Commission for Women (NCW) Chairperson Rekha Sharma on Friday said she had reached out thrice in the last three months to authorities in Manipur over incidents of violence against women but no response was received from them.
The complaints received by the NCW in the past three months were related to crime and violence against women, including rape and burning of houses of women, sources said.
Speaking to PTI, Sharma denied reports that appeared in a section of the media that claimed the commission had on June 12 received a complaint about the incident of two women being paraded naked on May 4 in the ethnic violence-hit northeastern state but had not taken any action. The video of the May 4 incident surfaced online on July 19. (PTI)
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday said in Lok Sabha that the government was ready for a discussion on the Manipur violence amidst vociferous protests by opposition parties which disrupted the proceedings of the House for the second consecutive day.
As soon as the House met, the members of the opposition parties were on their feet.
The members, including those from the Congress, DMK and Left, raised slogans and told Speaker Om Birla that "Manipur is bleeding". (PTI)
The FIR registered in connection with the parading of two women naked in Manipur, charged that before abducting them, a group of armed men came to the village in Kangpokpi district and torched and looted houses, attacked people killing some besides sexually assaulting women. (PTI)
The Rajya Sabha Secretariat on Friday turned down Aam Aadmi Party MP Sanjay Singh's 'Special Mention' request on the Manipur violence.
The AAP Rajya Sabha MP had asked for a 'Special Mention' as he wanted to bring a notice to the Upper House over the prevaling state of affairs in Manipur.
With his request denied, the AAP MP vented his fury on Twitter, terming the move as the "height of dictatorship". (ANI)
Manipur must come out of the present crisis and all must make efforts to restore peace in the state, Union Minister for Finance and Corporate Affairs Nirmala Sitharaman said here on Friday.
The incident of women being disrobed and paraded is “a serious and sensitive issue. The state is passing through a difficult phase and all communities are suffering there," the minister said on the sidelines of a programme.
“Manipur is a beautiful state and it has to come out of the crisis and honestly, all of us will have to make efforts to bring back peace to the state," she said. (PTI)
The FIR registered in connection with the parading of two women naked in Manipur, charged that before abducting them, a group of armed men came to the village in Kangpokpi district and torched and looted houses, attacked people killing some besides sexually assaulting women.
The FIR, a copy of which is available with PTI, claimed that one person was killed by the mob as he tried to protect his sister from being raped on May 4 before the two were paraded naked and molested in front of others.
“Around 900-1000 persons carrying sophisticated weapons like AK rifles, SLR, INSAS and .303 rifles forcefully entered our village ... in Island subdivision, Kangpokpi district, about 68 km south from Saikul police station. (PTI)
Union Minister Anurag Thakur on Friday hit out at the Congress-led opposition for "not allowing Parliament to function" and wondered whether it was because their leader was no longer a member of the Lok Sabha.
In an apparent reference to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, who was disqualified as a Lok Sabha member in March, Thakur wondered whether it was the "desire" of some persons no longer members of the House to ensure that Parliament does not function.
"Opposition is making excuses for not allowing the House to function. Some persons are no longer members of the House and it is their desire that the House should not function," said the Union Information and Broadcasting Minister outside Parliament. (PTI)
National Commission for Women (NCW) Chairperson Rekha Sharma on Friday said she had reached out thrice in the last three months to authorities in Manipur over incidents of violence against women but no response was received from them.
She was responding to reports in a section of the media that claimed the commission had on June 12 received a complaint about the incident of two women being paraded naked on May 4 in the ethnic violence-hit northeastern state but had not taken any action. The May 4 video surfaced online on July 19. (PTI)
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on the Manipur violence says, "I feel the opposition is not serious about the discussion on the Manipur issue. The government wants to discuss the Manipur issue. PM Modi himself said that the country is ashamed of whatever has happened in the state and assured strict action. Still, if the opposition does not want to discuss it only means that they are not serious."
Rajya Sabha faced adjournment for the second consecutive day on Friday with the Opposition parties protesting on the ethnic violence in Manipur and seeking Prime Minister Narendra Modi's statement followed by a detailed discussion on the issue by suspending the listed business for the day.
After the House assembled for the day and papers were laid on the table, Opposition members sought to raise the issue and urged the chair to consider their notices on the suspension of business for a detailed discussion on Manipur violence.
Congress MP Pramod Tiwari, Aam Aadmi Party MP Raghav Chaddha, Trinamool Congress MP Derek O'Brien were among MPs who sought to raise the matter leading to a din. (ANI)
Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati on Friday termed the incident of two women paraded naked in Manipur "shameful and heart-wrenching" but decried the political bickering over it as unfair and worrisome.
Tension mounted in the hills of Manipur after a May 4 video surfaced on Wednesday showing two women from one of the warring communities being paraded naked by a few men from the other side.
In a tweet in Hindi, Mayawati said, "The atrocities committed by mobs on women in Manipur is very sad, shameful and heart-wrenching. The state and central governments should punish such criminals severely so that such heinous crimes are not repeated anywhere." (PTI)
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh in Lok Sabha said that the opposition is not serious about having discussion on Manipur violence. (PTI)
Lok Sabha adjourned till 12 noon following opposition uproar over Manipur violence. (PTI)
Defence minister Rajnath Singh said that the central government is ready for discussion in Lok Sabha on May 4 incident in Manipur. (PTI)
