Manipur Women Viral Video: Main Accused Arrested, CM Says Considering 'Capital Punishment'

Manipur Video: Khuyrum Heradas was arrested from Thoubal district after police identified him from the video that was shot on May 4.

Manipur police personnel stand guard during a protest

Source : PTI

The main accused in the Manipur viral video case, where two tribal women from a particuar community were paraded naked, was arrested on Thursday. Khuyrum Heradas, 32, was arrested from Thoubal district after police identified him from the video.

The video, which was shot on May 4, a day after clashes broke out between the Meitei and Kuki tribe over the Meiteis' demand for Scheduled Tribes (ST) status, surfaced on Wednesday.

The video shows two women being paraded naked in in Kangpokpi district in Manipur, which has been hit by ethnic violence.

READ | Centre Orders Social Media Platforms To Not Share Video Of Manipur Women Paraded Naked: Report

Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh said strict action would be taken against all the perpetrators and the government was considering the possibility of capital punishment.

"My hearts go out to the two women who were subjected to a deeply disrespectful and inhumane act, as shown in the distressing video that surfaced yesterday. After taking suo-moto cognisance of the incident immediately after the video surfaced, the Manipur Police swung to action and made the first arrest this morning," Biren Singh tweeted.

"A thorough investigation is currently underway and we will ensure strict action is taken against all the perpetrators, including considering the possibility of capital punishment. Let it be known, there is absolutely no place for such heinous acts in our society," the CM further said.

A case of abduction, gang rape and murder was registered at the Nongpok Sekmai police station in Thoubal district against unidentified miscreants.

The video started doing the rounds ahead of a protest march announced by the Indigenous Tribal Leaders' Forum (ITLF) on Thursday.

"The despicable scene...shows men constantly molesting the helpless women, who cry and plead with their captors," an ITLF spokesperson told PTI.

The ITLF demanded that the Central and state governments, National Commission for Women and National Commission for Scheduled Tribes take cognisance and punish the culprits.

On Thursday, the Centre issued an order to Twitter and other social media platforms, instructing them not to share the viral video, ANI reported quoting sources. "It is imperative for social media platforms to adhere to Indian laws as the matter is currently under investigation," the Centre said.

Over 120 have died in the ethnic violence since it erupted two months ago and thousands have been displaced.

Several Opposition parties have targeted the BJP and are expected to raise the incident in Parliament, which is set to be a stormy affair.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi on Wednesday said the government was ready for a discussion on the situation in Manipur.