Hundreds protest after mob abducts, parades 2 women naked in northeastern India

By Shuriah Niazi

NEW DELHI (AA) — Hundreds protested on Saturday in India’s northeastern state of Manipur over the abduction and gang rape of two women paraded naked by a mob.

Demanding the immediate arrest of those involved in the incident, the demonstrators gathered in Churachandpur, some 65 kilometers (40 miles) from the state capital Imphal.

They were also demanding the resignation of State Chief Minister N. Biren Singh, a member of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

"Punishment for Rape should be nothing but death," said banners held up by the protesters.

Outrage erupted after a video emerged showing a mob forcing two women from the local Kuki tribal community down a road before pushing them into a field.

Manipur has witnessed deadly ethnic violence over the past two months.

Local police said in a statement on Saturday that six individuals involved in the incident, which took place on May 4, had been arrested.

"As regard to the viral video of two women on 4th May, 2023, another accused was arrested today," said the statement, adding that six people, a minor had been detained so far.

"The State Police is making all-out effort to arrest the remaining culprits by conducting raids at many suspected hideouts," it added.

Over 100 people have died in ethnic violence since May 3, while thousands have been displaced after a court order related to tribal recognition in the state.