Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, August 04:
The long arm has finally caught up with Pukhrambam Momba alias Bobby (27), who has been absconding after allegedly molesting a 9-year old girl child at Mahabali forest on June 14.The girl child was reportedly taken for a ride on his rickshaw and was found abandoned inside the jungle, with tale-tale signs of assault on her young body.
Personnel of 8th Manipur Rifles arrested him from Moreh Bazar at around 10 am today, said police sources.
A rickshaw driver by profession, Momba of Keirao Mayai Leikai has been evading arrest after committing the crime.
According to police sources, Assistant Commandant of 8th Manipur Rifles Kamchipao Simte and Jamadar N Madan Singh fortuitously saw Momba loitering around the bazar at around 10 am today.
On seeing the police personnel, Momba took to his heels.
But the Assistant Commandant and the Jamadar outran him and managed to catch the rape accused, for whose arrest even the Rickshaw Drivers' Association had announced monetary reward.
The MR personnel handed over Momba to the Moreh Police Station which in turn would be handing him over to Imphal East District Police which has registered and taken up a case on the incident.
During interrogation, it has been learnt that Momba had been staying in a hotel at Moreh Bazar after committing the crime.
He has been staying under a false name and passing off as a Jugali by profession to evade police arrest and hoodwink the people of the border town.
It may be recalled here that as news of assault on the girl child spread, infuriated local people burnt down his Keirao Mayai Leikai house on June 16 despite the plea made by his elder brother that Momba had been missing since January 27 last and a report had been lodged with the police in this connection.