In the midst of tensions, the government of Manipur issues a helpline number and urges citizens not to believe in rumors

The Manipur state administration on Saturday urged the people not to trust rumors as anxiety grew over the viral video showing two tribal women being paraded nude by a mob of rival communities. For individuals to report the distribution of “unfounded” films, a “rumor-free” hotline number (9233522822) has been established. Additionally, the public was requested to deliver the stolen weapons, ammo, and explosives to the nearby police stations.

In the ‘disrobing and parading women’ investigation, five persons have been detained thus far, after the late-Friday detention of a 19-year-old suspect. Yumlembam Nungsithoi was named as the sixth suspect.

“State Police is making an all-out effort to arrest the remaining culprits by conducting raids at many suspected hideouts,” Manipur Police said in a statement.

N Biren Singh, the chief minister of Manipur, reaffirmed that he is personally overseeing the search efforts for further suspects identified in the trending video. The state authorities further said that other alleged hiding places are the target of raids.

“We are denouncing it statewide, in the hills as well as the valley. The state’s residents see women as moms. By doing this, certain miscreants damaged our reputation,” Singh remarked.

The two ladies were brutally attacked by a crowd in the Kangpokpi area, and four apprehended suspects, including the main suspect, Huirem Herodas Meitei, were placed in 11-day police detention, according to a statement from the Manipur Police on Friday.

The Manipur chief minister promised “capital punishment” for the offenders on Twitter on July 20 and said that such terrible deeds had “absolutely no place in our society.”

“My thoughts and prayers are with the two ladies who were the victims of the very offensive and cruel behavior shown in the upsetting video that appeared yesterday. The Manipur Police swiftly acted after learning about the event from the video, and they made the first arrest this morning.

We are conducting a comprehensive investigation and will make sure that all of the criminals face harsh punishment, maybe including the death penalty. Let it be known that such horrible actions have no place in our society, Singh said in a tweet.