Moreh rapists punished
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, February 04 2009: A joint investigation team of five UG groups has shot dead two persons who were allegedly involved in raping and killing a physically challenged young woman identified as Lamkhotin Mate (35) at Moreh on January 23 last.

A resident of Thangnom Veng, Moreh Ward no.9, Lamkhotin Mate was found murdered on the bed of her Pan Dukan located just opposite to Forest IB of the border town in the morning of January 23 last.

The two rape accused paraded before the media

The two alleged murderers who have been awarded capital punishment by the joint investigation team of the five UG groups were identified as Md Ipham Amir Khan (30) s/o Babu Khan of Kwakta Thingel Leikai but staying at Moreh Ward no.7 and Achom Romen Singh (27) s/o late Ibochoubi of Moreh Ward no.7 Heinou Makhong.

Md Ipham Amir was reported to be a Grade-IV employee in Horticulture office at Moreh and he also worked as a porter in transportation of goods at the border.

The bodies of the two alleged murderers with bullet marks on their heads and chests were recovered by the police from a spot 300 metres away from the AR post at Moreh Gate no.IV today morning.

People of the area reportedly heard gun shots last night.

The bodies have been picked by the police and kept at the mortuary of RIMS Hospital here.

Before awarding the capital punishment, the two alleged murderers were paraded by the investigation team of RPF, UNLF, KYKL, PREPAK and KCP at a place in hills.

Speaking at the occasion, a spokesperson of the joint investigation team informed their involvement in the murder was confirmed during interrogation.

Recounting their statements, the spokespersons said that on the night of January 22 at the invitation of Amir, Romen came only with him to drink beer but they landed at the Pan Dukan of Mate.

Amir forced Mate to drink beer and taking advantage of her drunken state, Amir raped Mate on the bed lying inside the Pan Dukan.

Afterward, Romen also took his turn in raping the hapless girl who could not even shout.

Fearing the consequences of their crime, if Mate reported the matter to other people, both the rapists decided to kill Mate by strangulating with her own Chunni.

The spokesperson further informed that Romen had been earlier jailed in connection with raping a 7-year old girl at Moreh in 2005 .

While announcing that both of them would be awarded capital punishment as their criminal activities have the potential of causing misunderstanding among the various communities apart from demeaning women, the spokesperson had also stated the five UG groups would not spare anyone who commits similar crimes in future as well.

Coming out strongly against the alleged failure of the State police force in arresting of the anti-social elements, the spokesperson claimed that the success of the UGs in solving the cases where police fails is due to the co-operation of the people.