’Can never be forgiven’: PM on video of Manipur women being paraded naked

Mangalore Today News Network

New Delhi, July 20, 2023: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said that the incident of women being paraded naked in Manipur had shamed 140 crore Indians and "can never be forgiven" amid nationwide shock and outrage over a two-month-old video that emerged yesterday. The Prime Minister, in his first remarks on Manipur since ethnic violence broke out in the state over two months ago, assured that the "law will act with its full might" and the guilty won’t be spared.

 

"My heart is full of pain and anger. The incident in Manipur that has come to light is shameful for any civil society," PM Modi said during his customary address ahead of the Parliament’s Monsoon Session, adding that what happened to daughters of Manipur can never be forgiven.

 

#WATCH | Prime Minister Narendra Modi says, "...I assure the nation, no guilty will be spared. Law will take its course with all its might. What happened with the daughters of Manipur can never be forgiven." pic.twitter.com/HhVf220iKV

— ANI (@ANI) July 20, 2023

The Prime Minister also urged all chief ministers to strengthen law and order, and take strong steps for the safety of women.

"I appeal to all chief ministers to protect all our women, be it Rajasthan, Manipur or Chattisgarh. We should rise above politics to protect women," PM Modi said. The remarks come amid criticism by the Opposition for not speaking against the ethnic violence in Manipur.

MANIPUR WOMEN PARADED NAKED

A two-month-old video of two women being paraded naked in Manipur surfaced on the internet on Wednesday. The incident happened on May 4 in Kangpokpi district, a day after violence broke out in the north-eastern state. The video has sparked huge outrage.

Police have arrested the main accused who was seen in a May 4 video. The accused, identified as Heradas (32), was arrested from Thoubal district with the help of the video that went viral in which he was seen wearing a green T-shirt, police said. The chief minister said that the accused was arrested on late Wednesday night.

The Centre has issued an order to Twitter and other social media platforms, instructing them not to share the video of two women. The government, in its instructions, held that it was imperative to adhere to Indian laws and that the matter was under investigation.

Meanwhile, Union Home Minister Amit Shah also spoke to Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh regarding the video. Amit Shah has asked N Biren Singh to take possible steps to nab all those involved in the incident and take appropriate actions as per law, PTI reported quoting sources.

’GROSSEST OF CONSTITUTIONAL ABUSE’

Expressing concerns over a video of two women being paraded naked on a road by men in Manipur, Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud urged the government to take action. Terming it "simply unacceptable", a bench headed by Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud directed the Centre and the state government to take immediate steps and apprise the apex court on what action has been taken.

"We will give a little time to the government to act otherwise we will take action if nothing is happening on the ground," the bench, also comprising Justices P S Narasimha and Manoj Misra, said.

Manipur has been witnessing ethnic violence for over two months now and over 120 people have died in the violence. The Congress has been demanding a discussion in Parliament on the Manipur situation where violence since May 3 has led to several deaths.

Courtesy: India Today