Viral video case: FOCS demands release of innocents
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, August 26 2023:
Condemning the arrest of Ningombam Tomba and Khundongbam Arun, who were not involved in any way in the viral video case of parading naked two Kuki women, Federation of Civil Society Organisation (FOCS) has demanded unconditional release of the duo arrested by Manipur police at the earliest.
Addressing media persons at Manipur Press Club here on Saturday, FOCS president Th Manihar said that the police had arrested 6 people in connection with the viral video case.
However, of the 6 people arrested two namely Ningombam Tomba (21) s/o N Biren of Pechi Awang Leikai and Khundongbam Arun (29) s/oKh Imobi of Sikhong bazaar were never involved in the act.
As they were neither seen in the video nor present during the time of the incident, they should be released unconditionally at the earliest.
He further said that during war times, it is natural for certain unwanted things to happen.
But never in the history had there been instances of lodging FIR against culprits.
When the Kukis are trying to destroy Manipur, the state and the central governments remained silent and did not take up any steps.
Moreover, the government is remaining silent and not taking up legal actions against the culprits even after a Meitei woman who was gang raped in Churachandpur lodged an FIR to the police.
Manihar contended that the government of India also failed to initiate action against the Kukis who showed disrespect to the Indian flag on the occasion of Independence Day on August 15.The existence of different laws in the hills and the valley is condemnable, he said.
The president also demanded that the police ponder over seriously before making any attempt to arrest another 42 people in connection with the viral video case.