New Delhi: Expressing “deep concern” over the video of two women being paraded naked in Manipur, the Supreme Court on Thursday asked the state and central governments to take action and also keep it apprised about the steps being taken to ensure safety of women in the region.
A bench headed by Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud said it will give the government some time to act and will step in if nothing happens on the ground. “We are very deeply disturbed about the videos distributed yesterday. We are expressing our deep concern. It is time that the government steps and takes action. This is unacceptable,” the CJI said.
The apex court asked the Centre and the state government to apprise it about the steps taken by July 28.
Meanwhile, police have arrested the main suspect, Heradas (32), who was seen wearing a green shirt in the viral video, from Thoubal district. “After taking a suo-moto cognisance 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,” chief minister Biren Singh tweeted.
The Centre has also reportedly issued an order to Twitter and other social media platforms, instructing them not to share the video that went viral on Wednesday. “It is imperative for social media platforms to adhere to Indian laws as the matter is currently under investigation,” news agency ANI quoted government source as saying.
The video of the horrific incident – reported to have taken place in May in Kangpokpi district – has triggered waves of outrage and condemnation.
“What has happened to the daughters of Manipur can never be forgiven. The incident is shameful for the country, the guilty will not be spared,” Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in his remarks before the start of the monsoon session of Parliament.
While The Kashmir Files director Vivek Agnihotri wrote a poem in which he said “I am sorry” for failing them, actor Soni Razdan urged the government to ‘attend to Manipur’ before anything else.
MANIPUR:
Moplah, Direct Action Day, Noakhali, Bangladesh, Punjab, Kashmir, Bengal, Kerala, Assam, Bastar and now Manipur…
Every time our innocent mothers and sisters become the ultimate victims of inhuman, barbarian acts.
As a Bharatiya, as a man, as a human being, I am…
— Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri (@vivekagnihotri) July 20, 2023
Actor Sonu Sood wrote, “Manipur video has shaken everyone’s soul. It was humanity that was paraded… not the women (broken heart emoji.” Actress Kiara Advani has sought severe punishment for the accused.
The video of violence against women in Manipur is horrifying and has shaken me to the core. I pray the women get justice at the earliest. Those responsible must face the most SEVERE punishment they deserve.
— Kiara Advani (@advani_kiara) July 20, 2023
“The video portraying violence against women in Manipur was shocking and sickening. My utmost hope is for the culprits to be punished with the utmost severity, sending a clear message that such despicable actions will not be tolerated in any circumstance,” tweeted actor Sanjay Dutt.
