A man was arrested today (July 20, 2023), a day after a video of two women being paraded naked in India’s Manipur state drew nationwide outrage and calls for action. Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh announced the arrest this morning through Twitter, saying that his government will take strong action against all criminals, including the possibility of death penalty, reports NDTV. Also read: Modi breaks silence over Manipur 'ethnic violence' after viral video shows mob molesting women Heradas (32) was arrested from Thoubal district with the help of a viral video in which he was seen wearing a green T-shirt, according to police. The footage of the deplorable incident, which is said to have occurred in May in Kangpokpi district, resulted in widespread criticism from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Indian Supreme Court, NDTV said. “What has happened to the daughters of Manipur can never be forgiven. The incident is shameful for the country, the guilty will not be spared,” Modi said in parliament. Also read: 54 people killed in street clashes in India’s Manipur The Indian Chief Justice DY Chandrachud, has directed the government to take measures and to keep the court informed of the efforts being taken to guarantee the safety of women in the region, the report also said. “We are very deeply disturbed about the videos distributed yesterday. We are expressing our deep concern. It is time that the government steps and takes action. This is unacceptable,” he said.According to insiders, the government is expected to take action against Twitter over video distribution since it “could lead to problems in law and order,” added the report. The incident occurred on May 4, a day after conflict erupted in Manipur between the valley-majority Meitei and the hill-majority Kuki tribes over the Meiteis’ call for Scheduled Tribes (ST) recognition. Over 120 people have died as a result of the ethnic conflict, and hundreds have been internally displaced and are currently living in camps. Also read: Manipur situation will take time to settle down: Indian Chief of Defence Staff Meanwhile, the opposition has asked that PM Modi make a speech in parliament on the situation in Manipur. Ten opposition MPs have already introduced an adjournment motion in relation to Manipur, the report concluded.

Rival ethnic groups fired at each other in fresh violence in India's remote northeast that left at least nine people dead and some injured, officials said Wednesday. Security forces rushed to Khamenlok village in Manipur state's Kangpokpi district after clashes broke out Tuesday night between the Kuki and Meitei communities, said L. Sushindro, a state government minister. Also Read: India, Pakistan deploy rescuers and plan evacuations ahead of severe cyclone Police found nine bodies early Wednesday, a police officer said on condition of anonymity as he was not authorized to talk to reporters. Three people have been reported missing, the officer said. At least 100 people have been killed in severe ethnic clashes in Manipur state since May 3, and thousands of homes have been burned and shops and businesses vandalized. Also Read: India, Pakistan brace for severe cyclone, deploy rescuers to coastal regions Authorities have moved nearly 40,000 people from troubled areas to safer places. India's Home Minister Amit Shah visited the state early this month and met community leaders to restore peace. The violence started last month after protests by more than 50,000 Kukis and members of other predominantly Christian tribal communities in Churachandpur and adjoining districts in Manipur state. Also Read: FM visiting India to attend G20 development ministers' meeting They oppose the majority Meitei Hindu community's demand for a special status that would give them benefits including the right to farm on forest land, cheap bank loans, and health and educational facilities, as well as a specified quota of government jobs. Minority hill community leaders say the Meitei community is comparatively well-off and that granting them more privileges would be unfair. The Meiteis say employment quotas and other benefits for tribespeople would be protected. Two-thirds of the state's 2.5 million people live in a valley that comprises roughly 10% of the state's total area. The Meiteis are Hindus while rival groups, including the Kuki and other tribes, are mostly Christian and mainly live in the surrounding hill districts. Ethnic Muslims constitute about 8% of the state population.

The death toll in the massive landslide in the northeastern Indian state of Manipur has risen to 42, with the recovery of some 18 bodies in the past two days, officials said on Monday. The landslide, triggered by torrential rains, occurred late on Wednesday night at a Territorial Army camp near an under-construction Metro railway site in the state's Noney district. Read:24 killed in landslide in India's Manipur "So far, 42 bodies have been recovered by rescuers from the site. Of the deceased, 27 are Army jawans and 15 civilians, including locals and construction workers," a defense spokesperson told the media. The Territorial Army is a volunteer reserve force of the Indian Army. "Some 20 people, mostly civilians, are still missing," the spokesperson said, adding that the rescue operation at the site by the Indian Army and the National Disaster Relief Force "is still on". Read:Landslide Safety, Preparedness Tips: Dos and Don'ts Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh announced a compensation of Rs 5 lakh each for the family of the deceased, after visiting the disaster site last week. Landslides and floods are common in the north and northeastern Indian states during the monsoon months of June to September. The natural disasters are triggered by heavy monsoon rains crucial for India's farming.

The Indian Railways is constructing the world's tallest bridge pier in Manipur which is a part of 111 km long Jiribam-Imphal railway project, reported ANI. The ambitious project in Manipur is part of the 111 km long Jiribam-Imphal railway line to connect the capital of Manipur with the broad gauge network of the country.  The bridge, which is being built at a pier height of 141 metres, will surpass the existing record of 139 meter of Mala - Rijeka viaduct, Montenegro in Europe. Also read: India unveils world's tallest statue "With the completion of the project, the 111 km of distance will be covered in 2-2.5 hours. Presently, the distance between Jiribam-Imphal (NH-37) is 220 km, which took about 10-12 hours of travelling. After the construction, the bridge crossing Noney valley will become the world's highest pier bridge," Sandeep Sharma, Chief Engineer of the project told ANI. He further said that the work on the bridge will be completed by December 2023. "The first phase which extends for 12 km has already been commissioned. nearly 98 per cent of the work is complete on the second phase and by February 2022, it will be ready. The third phase from Khongsang to Tupul will be completed by November 2022. The fourth and the last phase of the bridge which extends from Tupul to Imphal valley, will be completed by December 2023," he said. The official also informed that the 111 km project consists of 61 per cent of tunnels. According to the Chief Engineer, the total anticipated cost of the bridge is Rs 374 crore. Also read: World's tallest empty hotel lit up with N. Korean propaganda Speaking about the hurdles that are being faced in the construction of the bridge, Sharma said, "Landslides often occur on NH-37 during monsoon, which is the only route to this place. From April to October, there is immense rainfall here. During that time, it is difficult to work here. There are also some problems related to insurgency, which creates a problem sometimes."