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Govt asks Twitter to pull down Manipur women's video

Last updated on: July 21, 2023 00:00 IST

The government has asked Twitter and other social media platforms to take down a video of two Manipur women paraded naked, since the matter is being probed.

IMAGE: Women hold torches and shout slogans as they take part in a demonstration demanding restoration of peace in Manipur following the ongoing ethnic violence in the state, in Imphal on July 18, 2023. Photograph: ANI Photo

Sources said the videos were inflammatory, and as the matter is under investigation, Twitter and other social media companies have been asked to remove the video.

The widely circulated video from Manipur which shows a group of men molesting two women has sparked an outrage.

The National Commission for Women (NCW) also said on Thursday that it has formally directed Twitter India to remove a video that shows the 'disgraceful act' of the two women being paraded naked and assaulted.

'NCW has formally directed the Head, Public Policy at @TwitterIndia to remove the video showing the disgraceful act of two women being paraded naked. This video compromises the victims' identities and is a punishable offense (sic),' the NCW said in a tweet.

Meanwhile, Union Women and Child Development Minister Smriti Irani has said that she has spoken to Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh over the May 4 video showing two women being paraded naked by some men in the state.

She termed the incident 'condemnable and downright inhuman'.

In a tweet, the Union minister said, 'The horrific video of sexual assault of two women emanating from Manipur is condemnable and downright inhuman. Spoke to CM N Biren Singh ji who has informed me that investigation is currently underway and assured that no effort will be spared to bring perpetrators to justice.'

Tension mounted in the hills of Manipur after a May 4 video surfaced on Wednesday showing two women from one of the warring communities being paraded naked by a few men from the other side.

The video was doing the rounds on the eve of a planned protest march announced by the Indigenous Tribal Leaders' Forum (ITLF) on Thursday to highlight their plight. Police said a case of abduction, gang rape and murder has been registered at Nongpok Sekmai police station in Thoubal district against unknown armed miscreants.