If Government Doesn't Act, We Will": Supreme Court On Manipur Horror

Regarding the Monipur issue The Supreme Court Thursday (20 july) condemned what it called the "deeply disturbing" video of two women paraded naked in Manipur and said the visuals showed "gross constitutional failure". The Chief Justice of India, DY Chandrachud, asked the government to take action simultaneously in keeping the court apprised about the steps being taken to ensure the safety of women in the region.

At this time if the government didn't act, the Supreme Court would, warned the Chief Justice, adding that the court would take up the case on July 28.

"We are very deeply disturbed about the videos distributed yesterday. We are expressing our deep concern. It is time that the government steps and takes action. This is unacceptable," DY Chandrachud said.

The Chief Justice said, "if the government does not act, we will. We are of the view that the court must be apprised of the steps taken by the government so that perpetrators are booked for such violence. What is portrayed in the media and visuals which appeared shows gross constitutional violation." 

Earlier in the video that had triggered massive condemnation and demands for action, two women were paraded naked by a mob, molested, and dragged to a field, where they were allegedly gang-raped.

The incident took place on May 4 in Kangpokpi district, some 35 km from the state capital Imphal, according to a statement by the Indigenous Tribal Leaders' Forum (ITLF).

Later after spreading out the horrific video surfaced on the internet, Manipur police arrested the key accused. Heradas (32) from Thoubal district with the help of that video in which he was seen wearing a green T-shirt, the police said.

Violence erupted in Manipur on May 3 during a 'Tribal Solidarity March' to protest against the Meitei community's demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status.