CBI takes control of Manipur sexual assault case, FIR filed

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has assumed control of the investigation into a horrifying sexual assault case that took place in Manipur, where three Kuki women were stripped, paraded naked, and subjected to assault, with one of them being gang-raped, as reported on the 4th.

The incident had occurred three months earlier in Thoubal district, but the shocking viral video of the crime emerged on July 19, sparking widespread outrage across the country.

Following the Union Home Ministry's recommendation, the case was handed over to the CBI, prompting the agency to re-register the First Information Report (FIR) originally filed by the Manipur police. In an affidavit, Union Home Minister Ajay Kumar Bhalla expressed the central government's determination to treat such heinous crimes seriously and ensure justice is served promptly, acting as a deterrent for crimes against women.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, after more than two months of public silence, addressed the issue, condemning the unforgivable attacks on women. However, the opposition led by the Congress is demanding a direct statement from the Prime Minister in Parliament about the Manipur issue and a subsequent debate in both houses.

The Manipur police have arrested seven suspects involved in the sexual assault case, some of whom were identified from the viral video, while efforts are underway to apprehend others, according to a senior police officer. The CBI's Special Investigation Team (SIT) is already investigating six other cases linked to the violence in Manipur and the seizure of arms from state armouries.

The CBI's probe will involve taking custody of the arrested individuals and conducting interrogations, along with obtaining statements from the victims, their families, and witnesses. Since May 3, the state has been embroiled in ethnic clashes between the Kukis, primarily residing in hilly regions, and the Meitei, the dominant community in the Imphal Valley. These clashes have led to over 150 fatalities and displaced more than 50,000 people.

The conflict initially erupted in Chura Chandpur town after Kuki tribal groups protested against a proposed amendment that granted Scheduled Tribe (ST) status to the Meitei community. The violence quickly spread across the state, necessitating curfews and internet suspensions. Authorities have registered thousands of cases of arson and violence, resulting in numerous arrests and preventive detentions.

As the CBI takes charge of the investigation, the nation eagerly awaits a comprehensive inquiry into the disturbing incident, seeking justice for the victims and their families while attempting to quell the underlying tensions between the ethnic communities in Manipur.