Ends of innocence in Lungthulien and Tbl

You are here: Home » news section » opinions » Opinion on Killings in Manipur

E-Pao! Opinion - Ends of innocence in Lungthulien and Tbl ?

Ends of innocence in Lungthulien and Tbl ?

By: Donn Morgan Kipgen *

The time are a changing fast for good, or bad sometimes in pursuit for socio-economical growth, all over the world but not here in Manipur. Two recent incidents have cast a serious probing doubts over the credibility of and integrity of both the State armed forces and UG outfits. It's a question about violations of womanhood which needs a quick and full redressal.

It is most unfortunate such pronounced allegation of carnal pleasure without permission have been pinned against police commandos and UGs, and not 17th AR or Grenadier guardsman. Unlike Th Manorama, Sanjita or L Elizabeth, these testified victims are still alive to give detailed accounts of their sordid and heart-rending experiences, which found ample pages in both national and international media.

This highly charged allegation of multiple-rapings juvenile Hmar girls of Lungthulien area and the molestation of Miss Naobi cannot be just brushed-aside by the alleged perpetrators. In this violatile and broken home called Manipur, nothing can be taken for granted or too small an issue. Without truth and understanding nothing prevails.

Just an outright detail and lack of naked evidence, i.e. photographic pictures, does not constitute lawful or reliable defence against meticulously documented charges of physical molestation or rape.

The first barbaric defendants to stand in the dock is a team of avenging Thoubal Police Commandos who evidently molested one Miss Naobi, the girlfriend of one Bikash, a PLA cadre who killed Thoubal police CDO OC Lokhon.

Firstly, it was a miscarriage of justice. She was not charged with any culpable crime and was forcefully picked, rather dragged out, from the deceased furneral ceremony. Those men did not issue an arrest memo like the 17th AR men, neither did they have a policewoman as required, nor are they non-Manipuris like Col Jagmohan's boys.

She was not even specifically arrested as suspected UG militant like Th Manorama and Miss 'unfortunate' Naobi was taken to a wrong place for a wrong purpose. The person who okayed her arrest without credible reason had actually signed her near-death warrant which was a prejudiced move. Any arrested woman without material evidence cannot be stripped-search by a male jawan and cannot be physically interrogated by an officer without the presence of at least one lady police personnel.

It is not, yes, not the duty of any police commando or MR/IRB personnel to officially interrogate any detainee while in police custody. Moreover, an arrested person cannot be taken out for a pleasure ride without the knowledge of the OC, SP or the IO's presence.

Many elder victims simply refused to come out openly for fear of reprisal and, yet again, to 'protect' their honour. They also admitted the undeniable fact that there would simply be no justice in Imphal and valley areas but instead their physical violations would openly harm their dignity and honour. And damn right they were.

The main problem is the ironical fact that seasoned police personnel took note of this case scenario and promptly put into practice. The so-called commandos would be much better off and much safer professionals had they been instructed they can have the fully acceptable pleasure option if they are willing to pay a week's salary at some seedy hotel to satisfy their uncontrollable lusty desire as long as they please, instead of inviting suspension or termination for a couple of minute or three free but unlawful service.

SF personnel should ask themselves whether they have innocent sisters, daughters, dutiful wives, kid brothers, loving mothers, etc, before they drop their pants or pull the hair-trigger (no pun intended) blinding moments of rage or lust. What would they say or how would they react when someone inform them that their sister or wives had been molested and raped ? Not in as many raging words but it would most definitely be 'kill in revenge'.

It is most surprising case scenario that young women had been physically victimised, molested and censored in the land of Meira Paibis and Nupi Lal by the very citizens of Manipur for so long a time period! As for the case of Miss Naobi, it would be a gross injustice to say that she was not gang-raped by a team of Thoubal Police CDOs.

Had the independent medical examiners found that Ms Naobi was not gang-raped Thoubal police CDOs based on forensic examination, the weeping O Ibobi, 'CM of Manipur valley', would promptly read out the 'Not guilty' medical certificate with rivers of tears in the Assembly hall and on visual media stating how his 'highly disciplined' CDOs have been unjustly framed.

The habitual crying Ibobi would also have blown away the toothless Opposition leaders for trying to discredit his Home Department, based on baseless rumours. What the CM actually have to do is to relinquish or resign from his Home portfolio on moral ground, instead of firing improbable promises of justice.

Now, then, what confronting and guiltless words do we have about the alleged mass-rape of 21 young Hmars girls by non-tribal militants in Lungthulien area of CCpur that charges were just allegations would be a double injustice. The heart-rending tearful tales of the young victims, once a fiefdom Singson clan, have already appeared in both national and international media.

Like the infamous My Lai-4 Massacre in Vietnam, the exact sequence of shameful events on the night of 16th Jan 2006, when a platoon of non-tribal militants conducted a house to house raids, has been best documented in Times and NE Sun magazine (15th March 2006 issue).

Many of the rape victims came out openly to be interviewed and photographed by independent media personnel. The victims have absolutely nothing to gain but everything to lose.

The very fact that they boldly gave their shameful experiences and allowed themselves to be photographed and medically examined show that there is something very very seriously wrong. These testified rape victims are mostly juvenile but young brave hearts.

They have already been experiencing death in life and any sort of justice can be taken as a divine blessing and cleansing proper medical and judicial investigation from three independent committees are needed to established the whole real truth.

For the record, the Hmars have no indecent, obscene nor foul words, phrases or terms in their own dialect and are very soft spoken god-fearing tribe amongst the CHIKIMs. Intellectually, they are much progressive than other CHIKIMs. Sadly, their so-called political leaders and Ministers have really disappointed and repeatedly failed them in times of need.

The Hmar need new and upright politicians and social-workers to give them sense of security and pride. Those testified victims are epitome of mental courage and dignity of Manipuri women.

What is needed most at this period is the three pronged judicial, police and forensic investigations so that the whole truth shall prevail since the issues of Lungthulien and Naobi case have crossed the Rubicon line.

Donn Morgan Kipgen wrote this article for The Sangai Express
This article was webcasted on April 19th, 2006.

* Comments posted by users in this discussion thread and other parts of this site are opinions of the individuals posting them (whose user ID is displayed alongside) and not the views of e-pao.net. We strongly recommend that users exercise responsibility, sensitivity and caution over language while writing your opinions which will be seen and read by other users. Please read a complete Guideline on using comments on this website.