While the Centre has initiated an investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) into the incidents of Manipur and filed an affidavit in the Supreme Court, it is also actively engaging with the warring communities in the state to calm the situation. As of now, seven including the main accused, have been arrested in this case.
The Centre approached the Supreme Court, requesting the trial of the Manipur violence case to be transferred outside the state. It further urged the court to ensure the completion of the entire trial, including the gang-rape case, within six months. The affidavit, filed by Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla, emphasises that the government is taking the case seriously.
The Manipur government had previously recommended a CBI probe on July 26, and the Home Ministry followed suit on July 27.
The Centre highlighted the gravity of the offences committed, particularly crimes against women, and the need for justice to have a deterrent effect on the nation. This led to the decision to entrust the investigation to an independent agency like the CBI, with the consent of the state government.
A Supreme Court bench, led by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, was scheduled to hear pleas related to the Manipur violence on July 28 but could not proceed as the CJI was not well. So, the matter is to be heard on Monday i.e. July 31, 2023. The Supreme Court had taken Suo motu cognizance of the brutal gang rape in Manipur after a video of the incident went viral on social media, sparking outrage in the Parliament ahead of the monsoon session. The Opposition demanded a statement from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, but when it was clear that no statement would be provided, they pursued a no-confidence motion against the government, which has been accepted by Speaker Om Birla.
However, the government refuted the Opposition’s claim that Manipur is “burning” and asserted that no killings have occurred in the state since July 18. The government official also expressed confidence that peace and normalcy would be restored soon through ongoing dialogues with the two warring communities, the Meiteis and Kukis.
Timeline of Manipur Horror
The video of two women being paraded naked in a village in Manipur’s Kangpokpi district has shocked the nation. Six people, accused of being involved in the incident, have been arrested so far. The Supreme Court had taken Suo Moto on this Issue. Meanwhile, the Monsoon Session of Parliament has witnessed massive disruption as the Opposition sought to corner the government on the issue. Protests have broken out in Manipur as well as in Delhi.
May 3: Ethnic clashes erupted in Manipur against a Manipur High Court order to the state government on the inclusion of Meitis in the Scheduled Tribes (ST) category which would allow them to purchase land in hill areas. Meiteis constitute 53 per cent of Manipur’s population and live mostly in the Imphal Valley, while tribals, which include Kukis and Nagas, account for 40 per cent and reside mostly in the hill districts.
May 4: A mob of around 900-1,000 people torched B Phainom village, killed two villagers and then carried out sexual assault of three women who were paraded naked, molested and at least one of them gang-raped by the mob.
May 18: A complaint was registered by the village chief at Saikul police station on May 18 claiming that three women were physically forced to remove their clothes and were stripped naked in front of the mob. The complainant alleged that about 900 to 1,000 unidentified miscreants carrying sophisticated weapons entered his village and set houses on fire after looting their moveable properties and cash.
June 21: A case of abduction, gang rape and murder has been registered against unidentified armed persons. Sections 153A, 398, 427, 436, 448, 302, 354, 364, 326, 376, and 34 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) were provoked in the case apart from Section 25(1C) of the Arms Act. July 19: The shocking video of women being paraded naked went viral on social media platforms invoking national outrage.
July 19: Supreme Court Takes Cognizance Of Manipur Sexual Violence Video, Asks Centre to take Strick Action July 20: Four miscreants, including main accused Huirem Herodas Singh, were arrested by police in connection with the incident.
Huirem was seen prominently directing the mob at B Phainom village. His house was set ablaze by angry locals.
July 21: The four accused were remanded to 11-day police custody on Friday, police said.