Imphal, Oct 13: Manipur Police have arrested 13 people, including a child in conflict with law (CCL), over the alleged circulation and monetisation of non-consensual explicit content involving Manipuri women.
The arrests were made under ‘Operation Dignity’ after police received credible information about the alleged trading of videos and photographs through multiple Telegram channels, including the distribution of child sexual abuse material (CSAM).
Those arrested were identified as N. Rajesh Singh alias Maipakchao (21), H. Dhanajit Singh alias Taison (19), H. Rojit Singh (19) and M. Clinton Singh (28), all from Bishnupur; S. Saphaba Singh (19), S. Simpson Singh (34), K. Rakesh Singh (18) and Ch. Robert Singh (27), from Imphal West; Th. Cavendish Singh alias Ingocha (21) and S. Alexander Singh (31), from Kakching; Kh. Bipin Singh (31), from Thoubal; and A. Aria Singh (24), from Bishnupur.
A child in conflict with law was also apprehended, whose identity has not been disclosed.
An FIR was registered at Moirang Police Station, and an investigation is underway to establish the extent of the network and identify others involved.
According to Manipur Police, 14 mobile phones and one laptop have been seized so far as part of the investigation.
The devices are expected to be examined as investigators pursue leads relating to the wider network, the alleged financial transactions and the possibility of additional victims.
The alleged monetisation of the material has also brought the financial dimension of the case under scrutiny.
Police have not disclosed the alleged payment mechanisms, the amount of money involved or the specific roles played by the arrested individuals in the circulation and commercial exploitation of the content.
Investigators are also looking into how the material was obtained and distributed, who administered the Telegram channels and whether other users or financial beneficiaries were involved.
The police statement did not specify whether forensic examination of the seized devices had yielded further leads.
The case involves allegations of non-consensual circulation of intimate images of women as well as the reported distribution of child sexual abuse material. Police have not yet disclosed the number of victims, the volume of material allegedly circulated or the full extent of the network.
Police said further investigation was underway to trace the wider network, identify additional victims and follow the financial trail.
The allegations against those arrested remain subject to investigation and due process.