Whip cracked in gangrape case of housewife at Bishnupur district
Accused IRB men, Commando SI suspended
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, March 28 2012: Amid continuing protests and condemnations against the rape of a house wife, the Police Department has suspended two IRB personnel for their alleged involvement in the case with similar action also initiated against a commando Sub Inspector, who allegedly provided a small arm, used by the culprits during their criminal act.

According to a senior police official, 1st IRB Havaldar Laikhuram Rojit and the unit's rifleman Ksh Kenedy alias Dungi have been placed under suspension along with a Sub Inspector of Bishnupur police commando N Tiken, pending a departmental enquiry.

It has been revealed that the country-made pistol used by the four-rape accused to intimidate the woman and others before committing the crime was provided by SI Tiken.

Following disclosures by the accused duo that hours before the March 21 night rape of the woman, a party was held at the quarter of SI Tiken, the third State security personnel was also put under arrest, conveyed the police official adding that all three were placed under suspension soon after the incident came to light.

The four rape accused, including the two IRB personnel paraded before the media

However, as SI Tiken claimed to have denied providing the small arm during questioning a further departmental enquiry has been initiated against him to establish the truth, added the official while confiding that a chargesheet on the case would be finalised at the earliest.

Meanwhile, the Joint Action Committee formed in connection with the alleged rape of the housewife who hails from nungleiband in Tamenglong district has demanded that the four accused persons should be imprisoned for life failing which intense agitation would belaunched in coordination with civil society organisations.

The JAC constituted against the gangrape of the woman also submitted a memorandum to the Chief Minister for life term to the rapists, among whom two are State security (IRB) personnel.

a public meeting convened by the JAC at the office of Zeliangrong Union, Kakhulong also resolved to press for a judicial enquiry into the incident, life imprisonment against four persons involved in the criminal act and to launch various agitation till the demands are fulfilled by the Government of Manipur.

Apart from the Chief Minister, copies of the resolution were also handed over to the Home Minister Gaikhangam and Governor Gurbachan Jagat for perusal and necessary action.

Representatives of Kabui Mothers' Association, Kuki Union Mothers' Association, NIPCO, Thoubal District United Women's Organisation, AMKIL, Kangla Mei and Zeliangrong Women South Union also attended the meeting.

Involvement of two security personnel and one police Sub Inspection aspirant, along with a contractor in the rape of **** , who is mother of four, came under strong criticism from those who spoke at the meeting.

They also contended that recruitment of substance abusers as security personnel if one can afford to pay 'bribe money' was also highlighted as a chief factor for frequent cases of security personnel misbehaving with the womenfolk.

On the otherhand, locals of Uripok Bachaspati Leikai and Uripok Sinam Leikai staged sit-in-protest against the rape of ****, who sustains family income by selling chillies (u-morok) .

a similar protest session was also organised at Ithai Khunou.

In another development, an accused person in the rape of a minor girl (9-year old) at Ngaikhong Siphai area on February 12 was arrested by police on March 23 .

The accused person has been identified as Oinam Ingocha.