Manipur is engulfed in ethnic violence since 3rd May 2023. On 19 July 2023, a video went viral on social media that showed 2 Kuki women  being stripped, paraded naked on the streets, slapped and sexually assaulted by apparently Meitei men. In this post, we try to understand whether the government handled the incident way it should have handled.

Facts of the matter

1. The incident happened on May 4, 2023.
2. The FIR was registered on May 18, 2023
3. The FIR was registered against ‘unknown armed miscreants’.
4. Amit Shah went on a 3-day visit to Manipur on 29th May to improve law and order.
5. For 2 months, till the video went viral, no arrest was made.
6. First arrest was made on 20th July 2023 after the video went viral. Supreme Court had also taken cognizance of the matter.
7. Till 28th July 2023, 7 people have been arrested, 14 people have been identified from the video.
8. On 27th July 2023, Central government recommended CBI probe.
9. In August 2023, 5 policemen were suspended including the station-in-charge of the area where the incident happened.
10. In October 2023, CBI filed chargesheet against 6 accused people.

Other important allegations

1. Complainants allege that they were in police custody when a mob of people took them away.
2. Complainants allege that one of the girl was brutally gang raped.
3. Complainants allege that one of the girls’ father and brother were killed on spot.
4. Complainants allege that it happened in police presence.

How should a responsible government have handled it?

1. As soon as the Government got complaint, government should have gotten into action and immediately arrest the people involved in the act.
2. Then, Government should have charged them under appropriate sections and should have ensured that they get maximum punishment according to the law.

Who are the authorities responsible?

1. Biren Singh, CM of Manipur, BJP
2. Amit Shah, Home Minister of India, BJP. This is because Central government has invoked Article 355 of Indian Constitution which gives Central government power to handle security situation in Manipur. In normal circumstances, law and order falls under the responsibility of state government.

Arguments to indicate government handled well

1. Manipur government arrested 4 people on 20 July 2023, a day after the video went viral.
   However, it also indicates that it was not that difficult for the government to arrest the people involved. Because, once the video went viral and pressure started mounting in, they made the first arrest within hours. So, it actually indicates the lack of intent on part of government to arrest the people responsible.
2. Till 28th July 2023, 7 people have been arrested, 14 people have been identified in the video.
3. To address the apprehensions that investigation by Manipur police may not be impartial, government recommended the probe to be handed over to CBI.
4. CBI has chargesheeted some of the individuals in October 2023 and further investigation is underway.

Arguments that government did not handle it well

1. For more than 2 months, government did not arrest a single person.
2. Since the video evidence was available, government could have identified and arrested easily.
3. It has not come to our knowledge if any of the erring police officials have been identified or even an investigation is ordered for police inaction.
4. Even Amit Shah (Home Minister of India) visited Manipur on 29th May, specifically to improve law and order situation. He should have urged Manipur government to arrest culprits as soon as possible. However, even after his visit, till the video became viral, no arrests were made.

Questions that we don’t have answers for

1. Whether the government investigated and found the allegations of complainants true?
2. Whether the incident really took place in presence of police? If yes, why was identification and arrest so much delayed?

What can we do if we think government has not done well on this issue?

1. We don’t become blind followers of any party/politician.
2. We recognize that this was wrong by the government.
3. We consider this as one of the factors before we go to vote next time.

References

1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2023_Manipur_violence
2. https://indianexpress.com/article/india/tension-manipur-hills-areas-may-4-video-two-women-paraded-naked-surfaces-8849063/
3. https://thewire.in/rights/amit-shah-manipur-promises-betrayed
4. https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/india/manipur-viral-video-five-policemen-suspended-ig-rank-officer-to-probe-armoury-looting/videoshow/102478641.cms?from=mdr
5. https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/manipur-viral-video-case-cbi-files-chargesheet-against-six-accused-reports-one-child-in-conflict-with-law-101697464912712.html

Footnote

This is an understanding formed till now as per the news available. If you have alternate perspectives, view points, evidences, data points, please share. Will be happy to update the article if relevant.