New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Thursday took suo motu cognizance of an “extremely disturbing” video in which two women were allegedly paraded naked by a group of men in Manipur, which went viral on social media on Wednesday.
The video also allegedly shows the two being molested by a group that drags them to a field. The women were later allegedly gang-raped. According to media reports, according to a statement by the Indigenous Tribal Leaders Forum (ITLF), the incident allegedly took place on May 4 in Kangpokpi district, about 35 km from Imphal. However, the police have reportedly claimed that the incident is from another district, although the FIR was registered in Kangpokpi.
“We are deeply troubled by the video that was distributed yesterday [Wednesday], We are expressing our deep concern. Now the time has come for the government to step up and act. This is unacceptable,” Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud said on Thursday.
He said: “It is unacceptable to use women as an instrument to perpetuate gender violence in an area of sectarian conflict.”
Ethnic clashes broke out between the tribal Kuki and non-tribal Meitei communities of Manipur on 3 May following a ‘Tribal Solidarity March’ to protest the demand for inclusion of the Meitei people in the Scheduled Tribe (ST) category. described as an attempt. Securing the rights and constitutional safeguards of the ethnic Kuki and their sub-tribes. According to police figures, the violence has so far claimed over 157 lives and displaced over 50,000 people.
ThePrint had earlier also said informed of How sexual violence against women was the least discussed aspect of the ongoing violence in Manipur.
Read also: Manipur CM ‘condemns’ alleged video of women being paraded naked – ‘will press for death penalty’
‘gross constitutional violation’
Those who were allegedly raped during the violence included a 40-year-old Kuki woman and a teenage girl who were dragged to a paddy field in Kangpokpi district on May 4 and allegedly gang-raped by a group of inebriated men, some of whom were youths. 15 years old.
ThePrint had earlier spoken to survivors and volunteers in relief camps to learn about at least six alleged cases of rape, including that of a 40-year-old and a teenager from Kangpokpi, none of whom reported themselves to the police at the time. Complaint was not lodged.
Stating that the visuals of the viral video show “gross constitutional violation”, the top court on Thursday directed that it be apprised of the steps taken by the government to ensure that perpetrators of such violence are booked. Go
In response, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta also expressed concern over the video. He said such incidents are totally unacceptable and assured the court that the government has taken immediate steps to nab the culprits after the video surfaced and the result will be placed before the court.
The matter will be heard again on Friday.
(Editing by Richa Mishra)
Read also: At Imphal school, Meitei children who fled violence survive with a little help from new friends