Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, July 24:
The unclaimed body of Thangjam Manorama Devi alias Henthoi (32) of Bamon Kampu Mayai Leikai has been consigned to flames at the Minuthong hatta public crematorium by State police personnel amidst tight security arrangement today evening.
Family members of the deceased did not attend the last rites performed at about 5:45 pm.
A State police officer video recorded the entire funeral process that was also witnessed by DCs and SPs of Imphal East and West districts and DIG (Range-I).
Rapid Action force personnel were heavily deployed around the cremation venue and some public who tried to view the funeral from safe a distance during the curfew period were chased away by the security personnel.
Following intimation from the irilbung police station Officer-in-Charge for necessary procedure to dispose the body that has been lying unclaimed at RIMS mortuary for the last 13 days Imphal East district�s District Magistrate KK Chhetry issued an order today for disposal of the body and conduct of necessary religious rituals and rites.
The order for disposal of the body was made taking into account possibility of outbreak of health hazard and public nuisance in the locality, mentioned the order.
The order was effected as per decision adopted at an emergency meeting chaired by the Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh and participated among others by the Chief Secretary, Principal Secretary (Home), DGP, Imphal West and East Deputy Commissioners and Superintendents of Police of the two capital districts.
Talking to some reporters at the cremation site, Imphal East district DC K Chhetry stated that prior information were conveyed to Manorama�s family on the cremation decision.
As the family members expressed reluctance to take back the body it was consigned to flames as �Unclaimed Dead Body�, main tained the DC who also termed manorama�s death as unfortunate.
He nevertheless asserted that the cremation of the body should not be construed as forcibly done.
Press sources informed that a combined team of Imphal East district police and IRB personnel led by the district SDPO Manimohan arrived at Bamon Kam pu at about 4.30 pm to meet Peoples� Action Committee formed in the wake of Manorama�s killing, families of the deceased and local public on the Govt decision for disposal of the body.
The insistence of the police team to Manorama�s family to sign on the DC�s order was flatly rejected.
Earlier today, post mortem was conducted on the body for the second time with the first being done on July 11.Today�s post mortem was conducted under the supervision of a medical board comprising of three doctors - RIMS Forensic Medicine Dept Hod Dr Momonchand, Dr Bijoy and Manipur Health Services Medico Legal expert Dr Manglem.
The whole process was recorded on video.
Mention may be made here that the earlier post mortem on Manorama's body was conducted by Dr Nabachandra.
Dr Nabachandra also gave his statement before the C Upendra Commission consituted by the Govt for probing into the brutal murder of Thangjam Manorama today.
It may be noted here that the second post mortem was performed following strong demand from Manorama's mother.
Meanwhile, GOC 3 Corps Lt Gen Daljeet Singh has warmly welcomed the Govt's decision to conduct a second post mortem on Manorama's body.
In a statement issued by the Assam Rifles, Daljeet Singh assured that the army would extend all possible cooperation and punish those found guilty.