Shocking: Viral video sparks fury and protests in India’s Manipur state

India’s Manipur state has been plunged into turmoil as large-scale protests erupted following the spread of a disturbing video showcasing two women being stripped and paraded. The video, believed to be from an incident that occurred two months ago, led to widespread public outrage, political condemnation, and heightened ethnic tensions, particularly in the city of Churachandpur.

This incident, dating back to May 4, details the sexual assault of three women, with one reportedly gang-raped. The victims’ father and brother were also killed during the attack. A man from Thoubal district, allegedly the mastermind behind the assault, has been detained by Manipur Police following his identification in the viral footage.

Manipur’s Chief Minister, N Biren Singh of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), expressed his commitment to delivering justice. He assured the public that strict action will be taken against those involved, even suggesting capital punishment as a viable penalty for the accused.

Manipur erupts in protests amid widespread condemnation of disturbing viral video. Image courtesy of BestGraphics_Com from Pixabay.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also condemned the incident, calling it a “shameful” event that had brought disgrace to the nation. Modi emphasized the need for stringent law enforcement across the states to uphold the dignity of women.

In the backdrop, Manipur has been facing increasing violence since May 3, due to conflicts between the Kuki and Naga communities over a High Court order advocating for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status to the Meitei community. This potential status upgrade, aimed at facilitating land acquisition, has stoked tensions among various communities and heightened political and social strife across the region.