Manipur horror: NCW directs Twitter to remove video which shows women being paraded naked

The  National Commission for Women in India on Thursday directed the Head of Public Policy at Twitter India to remove a viral video of two women being paraded naked in ethnic-clash torn Manipur. 

Women wing of the Congress party protesting against assaults on women in Manipur. Photo courtesy: IBNS

NCW said the video compromised the victims' identities and is a punishable offense. 

The women's body tweeted: "NCW has formally directed the Head, Public Policy at @TwitterIndia to remove the video showing the disgraceful act of two women being paraded naked. This video compromises the victims' identities and is a punishable offense." 

NCW gave the direction to the micro-blogging site after the video went viral. 

According to reports, the incident happened in May when the two women were paraded naked, molested, and allegedly gangraped by a crowd of a rival community. 

The incident occurred in Kangpokpi district on May 4, a day after ethnic violence erupted in the northeastern state, said reports. 

 

The video of the egregious act came to light two months later, on Wednesday, shaking the already volatile situation in Manipur, where ethnic clashes between the Kukis and the Meiteis have, so far, claimed at least 125 lives and displaced over 40,000 people.


Amid massive national outrage, Manipur Police registered a case of abduction, gangrape, and murder taking cognisance of the viral video.

The key accused, identified as Heradas (32), was arrested at around 1.30 am on the intervening night of Wednesday and Thursday in Thoubal district, India Today reported.

The police identified him with the help of the video in which he was seen wearing a green T-shirt, the report said.

Three more arrests were made hours later in connection with the case. 

Ahead of the start of the monsoon session of parliament, Prime Minister Narendra Modi assured the country that all the perpetrators involved in the heinous crime will be brought to justice.


"As I stand next to this temple of democracy, my heart is filled with pain and anger. The Manipur incident is shameful for any civilised nation. The entire country has been shamed,” PM Modi said.

PM Modi promises action against those responsible for sexual assaults in Manipur. Photo courtesy: PIB

“I want to assure the nation, no guilty will be spared. Action will be taken according to the law. What happened to the daughters of Manipur can never be forgiven," the PM said.