Manipur Police Denied Assistance To Women Who Were Paraded Naked: CBI

New Delhi: In a harrowing account detailed in the CBI chargesheet, two women from the Kuki-Zomi community faced unspeakable horrors during ethnic violence in Manipur’s Kangpokpi district. Allegedly abandoned by Manipur Police personnel, the women were left at the mercy of a violent mob of around 1,000 Meiti rioters.

The incident, which occurred on May 4, came to light through a viral video in July, depicting the women being stripped naked and paraded by the mob. The victims, including the wife of a Kargil war veteran, sought refuge in a police vehicle but were allegedly denied assistance by the officers, who claimed the vehicle’s key was missing.

According to officials familiar with the case, the mob, armed with sophisticated weapons, forcibly entered the victims’ village, prompting them to flee into the forest. Separated from others, they were directed to seek help from the police vehicle. However, despite their pleas, the officers reportedly failed to act, even as the violence escalated.

Tragically, the father of one victim, a former Indian Army subedar, was killed by the mob. As the situation deteriorated, the police personnel abandoned the victims, leading to their brutal assault by the rioters.

The CBI has filed charges against six individuals, including Huirem Herodas Meitei, and a report against a juvenile, under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), including gang-rape, murder, and criminal conspiracy.