Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, August 25:
Allegations that Thangjam Manorama Devi was raped by the security personnel before she was done to death is gradually gaining ground as semen traces have been detected on the under garments of the 32 year old deceased woman.
Reports of chemical examination conducted by the Central Forensic Science Laboratory, Kolkata on the undergarments and vaginal swab of the deceased Manorama were submitted by the Officer-in-Charge of Irilbung police station before the ongoing Thangjam Manorama Death Inquiry Commission today.
A highly placed source in the Commission headed by retired Judge C Upendra, disclosed that human semen stains have been detected in the petticoat of Manorama as per the reports submitted from Kolkata.
Blood stains detected on the other under garments of the deceased woman are found to be of the O type, the source said while hastening to add that further confirmatory examination is underway to ascertain the semen, stain detected on the petticoat.
The report was forwarded to the Additional Director of Forensic Science Laboratory, Pangei by the Director of General Forensic Science Laboratory, Kolkata, it added.
Meanwhile, none of the four Assam Rifles witnesses appeared before the panel today despite official intimations and summons.
Clearly peeved with the hide and seek game played by the AR authority, the chairman of the panel.
C Upendra today told the media that he would quit if the Commission is to be compelled to examine the AR witnesses at Kangla.
He further said that if the four witnesses refuse to cooperate further, the Commission will be compelled to issue a warrant of arrest against them.
The counsel representing Assam Rifles Colonel Trivedi Prasad, Deputy Judge Advocate of the Army submitted the same plea as made earlier praying that the AR witnesses be examined in camera at Kangla.
Quoting intelligence report, the lawyer reiterated that a cash award of Rs one lakh each for the jawans and Rs 5 lakhs for the Commandant have been announced by the proscribed PLA to any persons who can identify or give information of their presence or eliminate them.
The families of the AR personnel are also under similar threats, the lawyer said pleading under such circumstances it is imperative that additional security precautions be taken up to protect the identities of the personnel and their families.
While the Commission turned down the AR appeal, yet again, it however consented that examination of the AR witnesses could be conducted in camera at the panel's Sanjenthong premises.
Hence, the panel asked all the four AR witnesses to depose and give their testimonies in camera at 1 pm tomorrow.
Only the lawyers of all parties and the witnesses and family members of Manorama would be allowed to attend the in camera proceedings.