CSOs condemn 'kidnapping' of PhD scholar
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, December 19 2021: At least six civil society organisations have strongly condemned the alleged kidnapping and confinement of a PhD scholar of Jawaharal Nehru University (JNU) by one Rajkumar Master of Mayang Imphal Konchak Mayai Leikai on December 12 last who also allegedly threatened to rape and kill the victim.

All Manipur Kanba Ima Lup ( AMKIL), Extrajudicial Execution Victim Families Association Manipur (EEVFAM) Girlup-Manipur, Mingsel Foundation, Human Right Alert (HRA) and Women in Governance Network (WING) have condemned the kidnapping in the strongest term.

Addressing a press meet at the HRA office today, executive director of HRA Babloo Loitongbam stated that the victim was called out from her house by Rajkumar Master on the pretext of having lunch at Lilong and the victim accepted the invitation as they were well acquainted.

Instead of taking the victim to Lilong, RK Master (35), s/o Sanajaoba took her to his aunt's house at Mayang Imphal Konchak Mayai Leikai, Babloo said and claimed that the family members of RK Master coaxed the victim to marry the former.

Saying that the victim outrightly rejected the proposal, he added that the family members of RK Master, however, urged the victim to accept the proposal.

Claiming that the mobile phone of the victim was snatched when she tried to leave and she was confined inside the house, Babloo further claimed that RK Master even assaulted the victim and threatened to rape and murder her.

The victim protested the forceful confinement but none of the people in the neighborhood came to rescue her, he said and claimed that the family members of RK Master and the locals of the area even threatened to publicly humiliate her and perform Keina Katpa which literally translates as 'offering of bride' .

Fortunately, the victim survived the ordeal and reached her home on the next day, Babloo said and added that the victim lodged a complaint against RK Master and people involved in the crime at Singjamei police station.

Babloo stated that such archaic patriarchal outlook of expecting women to submit to pressure of so-called social norms should be abolished.

On the other hand, three persons including RK Master, his aunt Landhoni and one Angom Sonma filed anticipatory bail applications before the Session Court, Imphal West on December 17 in connection with the case.

The Court, on the same day, granted interim anticipatory bail to the trio till December 31 and directed the IO of the case to submit their objection report for hearing on December 31 .

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