Indian police have arrested four men in connection with a disturbing incident that took place in a northeastern state, where months of ethnic violence have led to at least 120 fatalities. The arrests came after a video clip of the incident, which occurred in early May, went viral on social media, triggering nationwide outrage.
The video depicted two women being paraded naked along a street, subjected to jeering and harassment by a mob. The incident took place in Manipur, where an internet shutdown was imposed by the authorities. The suspects were identified from the video, and police confirmed the arrests on Twitter late Thursday.
In response to the video’s circulation, the Manipur state government, led by the ruling Hindu-nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), took action more than two months after the incident occurred. Chief Minister N. Biren Singh assured the public of a thorough investigation and pledged to take strict action against all those responsible, including considering the possibility of capital punishment.
The violence in Manipur initially erupted over a dispute about access to government jobs and other benefits. This led to homes and churches being torched, forcing tens of thousands of people to flee to government-run camps. The clashes involved vigilante gangs from rival communities, with the majority Meitei, mostly Hindus living in and around Imphal, facing off against the mainly Christian Kuki in the surrounding hills.
However, a civil society group called Manipur Tribal Forum reported to the court in June that many gruesome acts of violence, including rape and beheading, had not been adequately investigated by the state authorities. Recently, a shocking incident appeared on Twitter, showing an aide to a BJP lawmaker in the state holding a victim’s severed head, but it was quickly removed from the platform.
The Kuki community had expressed protest against Meitei demands for reserved public job quotas and college admissions as a form of affirmative action, fueling fears that they might also be allowed to acquire land in areas currently reserved for tribal groups.
In response to the escalating violence and the shocking video, Prime Minister Narendra Modi made his first public remarks, expressing shame over the incident. India’s Supreme Court also warned Modi’s government that they would intervene if necessary, urging immediate action to address the escalating violence and its underlying causes.
As investigations continue and public outcry persists, authorities face mounting pressure to ensure justice is served and to take necessary measures to prevent further violence and unrest in Manipur. The country waits to see how the situation unfolds and how the government will address the root causes of the ethnic conflict.
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