Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, Aug 17:
Contrary to hmar Women Association expecting early submission of investigation report and expeditious disposal of the Lungthulien-Parbung mass rape allegation and called for solidarity to the victim women/girls, Human Rights Alert (HRA) and Manipur Forward Youth Front (MAFYF) have urged the probe authority to adjourn the proposed hearing/cross examination schedule.
HRA and MAFYF in a joint apprisal to the Chairman of the inquiry panel on Parbung incident Justice (Retd) SP Rajkhowa cited rejection for airlifting their legal representatives to the probe site and denial for security provision as a factors compelling appeal for the adjournment.
The rights bodies in their representation thereby urged the probe panel to adjourn the hearing/cross examination of the 29 witnesses till State Government reply to a separate appeal for shifting the venue to Jiribam, Silchar or Aizawl at State Government's cost.
Denial of security provision as proposed by the bodies for their legal representatives during travel and stay at Parbung were also pointed out as reasons constraining the adjournment plea.
Similar copy had been submitted to the Government of Manipur, added a statement.
In the meantime, Hmar Women Association, general headquarters expressing concern on delay in submitting and furnishing the Commission's April 21-24 spot inquiry report till date desired that the exercise be expedited in order to deliver justice to the victims.
The women body also appealed to organise 'Mass Prayer Session' at all the churches during evening/night service on August 20 for strength and courage of the victims in going through the nightmarish ordeal during the cross-examination.
It further urged the people to observe '28 minute black-out' from 9 pm of August 21.Questioning the intention of HRA and MAFYF for insisting on cross-examination of the witnesses and victims the Hmar women organisation expressed 'we fail to understand why these two bodies would like to satisfy themselves in facilitating for the continued torture and exposure of the poor girls who have suffered enough'.
It also opined that the Commission is doing injustice to the victims by taking long time to submit the spot inquiry report.