Summary:
- Protests erupted in India following the emergence of a viral video showing women being sexually assaulted in Manipur.
- The incident occurred on May 4th, but authorities initially ignored it until the video circulated on social media.
- The sexual assault has brought renewed attention to Manipur, which has been facing ethnic clashes since May, resulting in numerous casualties and displacements.
- The lack of prompt action by the police has ignited anger and led to demands for more accountability from the government and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The power of social media to force change and perhaps justice is evident in India, where a viral and frankly disgusting video of women being dragged naked through the streets has compelled authorities to pay attention to a gang rape incident they had been ignoring. The incident occurred in India's state of Manipur in the eastern part of the country, far from its bigger, more cosmopolitan cities.
Anger has swept across the northeastern state of Manipur and the entire country as graphic videos showing two women being sexually assaulted circulated online, sparking massive protests in Delhi and other parts of the nation. In the distressing 26-second clip that has gone viral on social media, the two women were forcibly made to walk naked on a road, surrounded by a mob of at least three dozen men. The women were groped and sexually assaulted, crying out for help while desperately covering their bare bodies with their hands. Subsequently, they were led to a field where they were allegedly gang-raped. Shockingly, the incident occurred on May 4th, but the police took action only after the video surfaced, leading to a massive manhunt for potential other suspects.
The video's impact has been significant, shaking the authorities in Manipur and the nation at large. The incident highlights the power of social media in demanding justice and accountability. However, the road to healing and restoring peace in Manipur remains long, with questions lingering about why it took so long for the authorities to take action. The protests and outrage have spurred discussions in the Parliament, but many are still seeking further assurances from the Prime Minister to address the ongoing issues in Manipur.