The opposition parties on Thursday condemned the incident of women being paraded naked in Manipur and attacked the Centre and Biren Singh government for “failing” to control the law and order situation in the violence-hit state. The parties also alleged that the BJP had made attempts to "hush up" the incident that reportedly took place on May 4.
"Heartbroken and outraged to witness the horrific video from Manipur showing the brutal treatment of two women by a frenzied mob. No words can express the pain and anguish of witnessing the violence inflicted on marginalised women. This act of barbarism is beyond comprehension and humanity,” West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said.
She said the country must stand united in condemning such inhumane actions by miscreants and bring justice to the victims.
A video showing two women from one of the warring communities in the northeastern state being paraded naked by a mob from the other side surfaced on Wednesday, mounting tension in the northeast state already hit by ethnic violence. The main accused in the case was arrested on Thursday while several others are still at large.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed anger and pain at the video, saying it shamed 140 crore Indians. He asserted law will act with its full might and no guilty will be spared.
The opposition, however, finds his words too little and too late.
"He (Modi) has made no appeal for peace, nor asked for the chief minister of Manipur to step down. While he has commented on this one video that has surfaced, this is only one example of the hundreds of incidents of barbaric violence in the state of Manipur," said Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh.
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said the government did not take any action even as there has been violence in the state for more than two months.
"It has often been seen that PM Modi is quiet on such incidents. It is the sign of a weak leader. A courageous leader comes out in the front. It doesn't happen that they shut themselves in a room. He has been silent (on the issue),” said Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.
"Now that the video went viral only one person has been arrested. The faces of the accused are visible. This shows government's criminal conspiracy, negligence and collusion," the AAP chief alleged.
Demanding the resignation of the Manipur chief minister, the JMM claimed that the party would expose the "mindset and character" of the BJP with demonstrations against the incident.
"The chief minister (of Manipur) should resign immediately. Our party will hold demonstrations, burn effigies of the central and Manipur governments across the state," said JMM spokesperson Vinod Kumar Pandey.
Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav alleged that BJP's politics and the RSS' "policy of hate" are responsible for the situation in Manipur.
"The family members of sisters and daughters will definitely think once before even looking towards the BJP," he said.
Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) supremo Mayawati said, "The whole country is worried about the continue violence and strife in Manipur. The latest incident of indecency to women is especially embarrassing for the BJP and its government."
"Although the law and order situation in the state has already deteriorated, will the BJP still continue to protect such a chief minister?" she said in a tweet in Hindi.
RJD leader and Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav asked if Congress leader Rahul Gandhi can visit the northeastern state, why Prime Minister Narendra Modi cannot.
"Why has the PM not visited the state so far? If Congress leader Rahul Gandhi can visit Manipur, why can't the PM? Manipur is burning," Yadav said.
Manipur has been witnessing ethnic clashes since May 3 between the majority Meitei community, concentrated in the Imphal valley, and the tribal Kukis, occupying the hills. Over 160 people have been killed in the violence so far.
With PTI inputs