A disturbing video showing two women forced by a violent mob to walk naked in Manipur state, northeastern India, has caused widespread outrage and prompted the country’s leader, Narendra Modi, to address the ongoing sectarian conflict in the region.
The viral video, which was from May 4 according to the Indigenous Tribal Leaders’ Forum (ITLF), came to light on social media this week, leading to police arrests. Manipur Police described the incident on Twitter as a “case of abduction, gang rape, and murder.”
Authorities have arrested four people and are conducting raids, interrogating more than three dozen men in connection with the apparent sexual assault, according to Reuters.
In the shocking footage seen by CNN, two terrified women are seen being forced to walk naked through a crowd of clothed men. They appear to be groped and sexually assaulted by the mob, which is wielding weapons like long canes and sticks.
The incident occurred amid ongoing ethnic violence in Manipur state. Responding to the public outcry, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi broke his silence on the matter, stating, “My heart is filled with grief and anger. The incident in Manipur is shameful for any civil society.”
The Supreme Court of India directed the federal and Manipur state governments to take immediate action in holding the perpetrators accountable and ensuring such incidents are not repeated. The court emphasized that using women as instruments for perpetrating violence is unacceptable in a constitutional democracy.
Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh condemned the incident, calling it a “crime against humanity.” He pledged that the government, along with the people of Manipur, would ensure that the culprits receive the highest punishment, even suggesting capital punishment.
The video’s emergence has drawn attention to the ongoing violence in Manipur. In May, clashes erupted after a rally against the Meitei ethnic community’s petition for special tribal status. The violence has led to over 100 deaths and the displacement of tens of thousands.
India’s main opposition party, Congress, has criticized Modi’s handling of the situation, accusing the government of destroying the social fabric of the state.
In response to the video, Manipur Police has made several arrests in connection with the crime, and a thorough investigation is ongoing. The National Human Rights Commission of India has also issued notices to the state’s Chief Secretary and Director General of Police, calling for a detailed report on the case within four weeks.
The Indian government has ordered social media platforms not to share the video, citing the ongoing investigation.