Twitter's Dilemma: Centre Contemplates Action Amidst Shocking Video of Manipur Women Paraded Naked

The Indian government is poised to take decisive action against Twitter in response to the circulation of disturbing videos that have the potential to incite law and order issues, according to sources. The horrifying video from Manipur showing two women being paraded naked and molested by a group of men went viral on Wednesday, provoking widespread outrage and demands for accountability.

The videos in question are deemed impermissible under the law and have sparked serious concerns regarding public safety and social order. An official order has been issued to initiate action against Twitter, which is owned by Elon Musk, for its non-compliance in preventing the dissemination of such harmful content. The Information Technology (IT) ministry is actively working across platforms to prevent further sharing of the distressing video.

In the video, the two women are seen being subjected to degrading treatment, and they were allegedly gang-raped later. The incident took place on May 4, following clashes between the valley-majority Meitei community and the hill-majority Kuki tribe in Manipur. The clashes erupted due to the Meiteis' demand for Scheduled Tribes (ST) status. The state has been witnessing a series of violent incidents and clashes for several weeks, resulting in the loss of over 120 lives and leaving thousands internally displaced, seeking refuge in relief camps.

The video's virality on social media has drawn widespread condemnation and a call for swift action against the perpetrators. The police have already filed a case and are actively working to apprehend the culprits. A senior police officer assured that the men involved have been identified, and arrests are imminent. The survivors of the gang-rape incident had come forward to report the crime about 15 days after the horrifying assault. The investigation has led authorities to Kangpokpi, where the crime did not occur, but significant progress has been made in identifying the culprits.

Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh has prioritized the investigation and ordered the police to act swiftly in resolving the case. In response to the shocking incident, opposition parties have targeted the ruling BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) in the state and are expected to raise the issue during the parliamentary session, which commences today. The Congress party has specifically called for a discussion on the situation in Manipur to address the grave concerns and seek appropriate actions to prevent such heinous acts in the future.