Manipur Women Parading Case: CBI Files Charge Sheet Against Six & Juvenile

NEW DELHI: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has filed a charge sheet against six individuals and a juvenile in connection with the parading of two tribal women naked in Manipur's Kangpokpi district in May. This incident sparked nationwide outrage after a video of the incident went viral two months later.

The CBI submitted the charge sheet against six individuals and a report against one juvenile in conflict with the law before a special CBI court in Guwahati. This action was taken nearly three months after Manipur Police made arrests related to the case.

The incident involved approximately 900-1,000 people, armed with sophisticated weapons, who entered B Phainom village in Kangpokpi district, Manipur, on May 4, 2023. The mob vandalized homes, set them on fire, looted properties, assaulted villagers, committed murders, and sexually assaulted women. A video depicting the two women being paraded naked emerged in July, leading to widespread condemnation in India and globally. Subsequently, the Supreme Court intervened and handed over the case to the CBI.

The investigation by the CBI confirmed the involvement of the accused arrested by Manipur Police in the incident. Consequently, the charge sheet was filed against Huirum Herodas and others.

The accused have been charged under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, including gangrape, murder, outraging the modesty of a woman, and criminal conspiracy.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi strongly condemned the incident, stating it had shamed all Indians and promising that the law would act decisively.

The incident highlighted the tension between the majority Meitei community and the Kuki tribal group, and political leaders across party lines condemned it. The video emerged on the eve of Parliament's Monsoon session, creating an uproar.

The Supreme Court expressed deep concern over the videos depicting the women's ordeal and called on the Central and Manipur governments to take immediate action. The court declared the incident a grave violation of constitutional and human rights.

Ethnic clashes between the majority Meitei community, concentrated in the Imphal valley, and the Kukis, who inhabit the hills, have been occurring in Manipur since May 3.

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