Manipur parade incident: ‘Police handed us over to the mob’

Tribals take part in a protest rally, in Churachandpur district of Manipur, on Thursday, as a mark of protest against the harrowing incident. Pics/PTI

One of the two tribal women, who were stripped, paraded naked, groped and thrashed by a mob in a Manipur village, has alleged that it was the police who handed them over to the mob on May 4, a day after clashes erupted between Meitei and Kuki communities of the state.

While the police complaint, filed on May 18, states that the police had rescued the women and were taking them to the police station when the mob stopped them, the woman in her 20s told the Indian Express that the cops themselves handed them over to the mob.

"The police were there with the mob that was attacking our village [in Kangpokpi district]. The police picked us up from near home, and took us a little away from the village and left us on the road with the mob. We were given to them by police," she told the Indian Express over the phone.

CM Biren Singh

While she was allegedly gang-raped in the field, the other woman was let go after being thrashed and molested.

The Manipur police on Thursday said they have arrested one of the main accused, who was seen in the 26-second video of the assault that was circulated on social media platforms.

Chief Minister N Biren Singh said he will ensure strict action is taken against all the perpetrators, including considering the possibility of capital punishment.
Earlier in the day, while speaking to Aaj Tak on the assault, CM Singh said that "hundreds of such incidents are happening in the state and hundreds of similar FIRs have been filed, and hence the Internet has been suspended."

The Opposition has demanded Singh's resignation.

May 4
Day the incident took place

May 18
Day police filed a complaint

July 20
Day police arrested 1 of many accused

Too little, too late

Smriti Irani, minister, Union Women and Child Development
‘The horrific video of sexual assault of two women is condemnable and downright inhuman... Spoke to CM Biren Singhji who has informed me that probe is currently underway and assured that no effort will be spared to bring perpetrators to justice'

Narendra Modi, prime minister
‘I want to assure the countrymen that no guilty will be spared... What has happened to these daughters of Manipur can never be forgiven... I appeal to all chief minsters to tighten law and order. Whether it is Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh or Manipur...the issue of a woman's honour is above all politics'

CJI-led Supreme Court bench
‘I think it is time that the government really steps in and takes action because this is simply unacceptable. We will give a little time to the government to act, otherwise we will take action if nothing is happening on the ground'

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