As many as four people have been arrested so far in connection with the horrific incident in Manipur where two women were paraded naked and allegedly gang-raped, a video of which went viral on the internet.
Taking to Twitter, Manipur Police wrote, "Four main accused arrested in the Viral Video Case: 03 (three) more main accused of the heinous crime of abduction and gangrape under Nongpok Sekmai PS, Thoubal District have been arrested today. So a total 04 (four) persons have been arrested till now."
The State Police is making all out efforts to arrest the other culprits at the earliest. Raids are continuing.
2/2— Manipur Police (@manipur_police) July 20, 2023
Manipur Police is conducting raids and making extensive efforts to arrest the remaining culprits as soon as possible, the state police force mentioned.
Search operations and checkposts have been set up for checking by the Manipur Police and central forces. "Search Operations and Checking at Nakas: State Police and Central forces continue to conduct search operations in the vulnerable and fringe areas of both valley and hill districts. 02 (two) arms with 05 (five) ammunitions were recovered in Imphal East District," tweeted Manipur Police.
A total of 129 naka checkpoints have been installed in different districts of Manipur in connection with the violations and 657 people have been detained.
Manipur Police informed via Twitter, "A total of 129 Nakas/ Checkpoints were installed in different Districts of Manipur, both in the hill and the valley and Police detained 657 persons in connection with violations in different districts of the State."
"Movement of 464 (four hundred sixty-eight) vehicles on NH-37 and 138 (one hundred thirty-eight) vehicles on NH-2 with essential items have been ensured. Strict security measures are taken up in all vulnerable locations and a security convoy is provided in sensitive stretches in order to ensure free and safe movement of the vehicles," said Manipur Police.
Earlier today, Manipur Governor Anusuiya Uikey expressed her strong condemnation of the viral video of women being paraded naked and allegedly sexually assaulted and directed the Director General of Police (DGP) to take immediate steps to book the perpetrators of this heinous crime and award exemplary punishment as per law.
Amidst a nationwide outcry over the appalling incident in Manipur, Chief Minister N Biren Singh announced that two individuals, including the primary perpetrator, have been apprehended. He emphasized that his government would spare no effort in seeking the death penalty for the accused.
"One was arrested yesterday and recently I got information that another one has also been arrested now. The interrogation is going on. The state police have arrested the suspected main culprit and those who involve have also been arrested and will be booked as per the law," Singh said.
The violence in Manipur erupted after a rally by the All Tribal Students Union of Manipur (ATSUM) on May 3 in protest against the proposed inclusion of people belonging to the Meitei community in the list of Scheduled Tribes (STs).
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