3 May 2024: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has unveiled significant revelations in the Manipur gang rape case, disclosing that the State government had not granted sanction to prosecute the accused under Section 153A for promoting enmity among different groups based on race. The chargesheet, filed in October 2023, highlighted the absence of fresh arrests beyond the initial six apprehended by the Manipur Police, with three suspects still at large.
The case stems from a harrowing incident, wherein two Kuki-Zo women were subjected to sexual assault and paraded by a mob from the Meitei community amidst the ethnic conflict in Manipur. The CBI’s chargesheet, now public, depicts a sequence of pre-planned crimes, including violence, arson, sexual assault, and murder, targeting the tribal community.
Despite the case coming to light months later via a viral video on social media, prompting public outcry and FIR registration by the Police, the Manipur government’s response regarding prosecution sanction remains unaddressed. The Supreme Court, upon transfer of the case to the CBI, mandated the federal agency to investigate similar incidents of sexual assault amid the ongoing conflict in Manipur.
The CBI’s inquiry unveiled chilling details, including alleged complicity of Manipur police personnel. The victims, attempting to seek refuge in a Police Gypsy, were reportedly betrayed by the driver who refused to start the vehicle, subsequently delivering them into the hands of the violent mob.
Tragically, the victims, along with their family members, were fleeing their village amidst attacks by suspected outfits such as Arambai Tenggol and Meetei Leepun when they fell prey to the Meitei mob. The onslaught resulted in the brutal beating to death of two men accompanying the victims, underscoring the gravity of the situation.
The CBI’s investigation underscores the urgent need for justice and accountability amidst the volatile ethnic conflict in Manipur. As the case unfolds, questions loom over the State’s role in ensuring prosecution and safeguarding the rights of vulnerable communities in the region.
