Protests against sexual violence followed the incident in Manipur. village in the state of Manipur, causing outrage.
The attack included the gang rape of one of the women who became known as the “daughters of Manipur.”
“The perpetrators will not be spared. What happened to the daughters of Manipur can never be forgiven,” Modi told reporters.
Without talking directly about the violence, he called on the heads of state governments to ensure the safety of women and called the incident “shameful for any civilized nation.” He added: “My heart is filled with pain and anger.”
The incident came a day after violent clashes between the majority Hindu Meitei community and the Christian minority Kuki-zo in the Manipur district, led by the ruling Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party. Ethnic violence has killed at least 120 people in the northeastern state, most of them Cookies.
Opposition parties have previously accused Modi of choosing to remain silent on the violence.
The 26-second frame was filmed two months ago, but has only surfaced now because the state has imposed an internet shutdown. It shows two women being taunted and attacked by the mob as they are led to an empty field.
Ethnic violence in Manipur has killed at least 120 people, most of them Kuki . Photo: Arun Sankar/AFThe Meitei community makes up over half of Manipur's 3.5 million population, who mostly live in Imphal, the capital. The Kuki-zo tribe inhabits the surrounding hilly areas. More than 60,000 people have been displaced, almost 250 churches burned, hundreds of houses destroyed.
The Kuki-Zo community opposes demands that some public jobs and college places be reserved for Meitei people. He also worries that the Meitei may be allowed to purchase land in areas currently reserved for them and other tribal groups.
According to a police complaint, a 21-year-old woman reported being the victim of gang rape, while a 42-year-old woman said she was harassed and assaulted. The village headman said that the father and brother of one of the women were killed by a gang trying to protect her.
The complaint says that a mob of up to 1,000 people, some of whom were armed, seized a total of three women.
The 21-year-old victim told local media: “The police were there with the mob that attacked our village. The police picked us up not far from the house, took us a little away from the village and left us on the road with the crowd. We were handed over to them by the police.”
Police on Thursday arrested 32-year-old Meitei Khuirem Herodas in connection with the attack.
N Biren Singh, the chief minister of Manipur, who is a metei, promised a thorough investigation and strict action against all those responsible, with the possibility of the death penalty.
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