Imphal, July 20: Three more suspects have been arrested in the naked parade and alleged gangrape of the two Vaiphei Kuki-Zo women under Nongpok Sekmai PS, Thoubal District on Thursday, Manipur police informed. However, the identities of the three are yet to be disclosed.
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The prime culprit, according to police, identified as Huirem Herodas Meitei (32) seen holding the woman in the viral video was arrested on Thursday morning in an operation. Women folk of Pechi Awang Leikai village set on fire [allegedly] house of the accused after vandalising the house.
All together four accused have been arrested till now. The original FIR in connection to the viral video incident that occurred in Kangpokpi district’s B. Phainom village was filed 63 days ago at Saikul PS in Kangpokpi district.
It is interesting to note that the original FIR filed on May 18 was re-registered on June 21 at Nongpok Sekmai PS at 4:31 pm. The FIR mentioned “Unknown miscreants numbering about 900-1000 persons suspected to be members of Meitei Youth Organisations, Meetei Leepun, Kangleipak Kanba Lup (KKL), Arambai Tenggol and World Meitei Council (WMC), Schedule Tribe Demand Committee(STDC) as the accused.
“The state police is making all out efforts to arrest the other culprits at the earliest. Raids are continuing,” said Manipur police.
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Imphal East District police also arrested one cadre of PREPAK Pro namely Md Ibungo @ Abdul Hilim (38) s/o (L) Tomba Khan of Khumidok Epum Mapan Imphal East.
Aside from the arrests, police informed that a total of 129 Nakas/ Checkpoints were installed in different Districts of Manipur, both in the hill and the valley; detained 657 persons in connection with violations in different districts of the State.
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It may be mentioned that the Indian Police Foundation, an independent think tank of Policing and Law Enforcement taking cognizance of the viral video of the two Kuki-Zo women sharply reacted against Manipur police saying, “The stripping, parading and alleged gangrape of Kuki women is deeply painful and inhuman. Manipur Police confirms ‘Zero FIR’. By now, they should have investigated and caught the culprits. Are we so helpless? Entire India, including Meitei society should unite for justice and stop such savagery.”