Death case of Reingamphy : Police Commissioner asked to transfer case to Delhi Crime Branch
Kiran Walia meets protesters, does not rule out sexual assault
Source: The Sangai Express / Ninglun Hanghal

New Delhi, June 01 2013 : On the third day of the death of Reingamphy Awungshi and amid consistent protest since yesterday, Dr Kiran Walia, Minister of Health, Women and Family Welfare, Delhi Government who came and met the protesters today at Malviya Nagar Police station said that she had asked the Delhi Police Commissioner to transfer the case to the Delhi Crime Branch.

"The SHO cannot refuse to register an FIR," she said.

The Minister also affirmed that she has seen the photograph of the deceased and added that sexual assault cannot be ruled out.

"It is difficult to believe that it is a case of suicide, proper investigation should be conducted," she asserted.

"I have also asked for conducting the autopsy again, by a different doctor and in another hospital," said the Minister.

Reassuring that the Northeast communities in Delhi should not feel insecure, Dr Walia stated that irrespective of region or caste or communities, she is committed to fight crime against women.

"Me and my Government will not tolerate violence against women," she said.

It may be recalled that in the intervening night of May 31 and June 1, the SHO registered an FIR under section 306 (attempt to suicide).

Not accepting the FIR, community and women leaders met Dr Walia, early today.

It may also be mentioned that a team of the leaders have consistently made efforts and met several top ranking Delhi Police officials since the past two days.

Kiran Walia meeting protestors and assuring them of all help from her side

Yaronso Ngalung, leader of Tangkhul Katamnao Saklong told The Sangai Express that the police had attempted to convince them that relevant charges can be added to the case under section 306 .

"But we did not sign any FIR till now," he said adding, "a medical team will be constituted with different doctors to conduct the post mortem for a second time" .

Alana Golmei, Secretary of North East Helpline, said "We are not accepting 306, we will go to the High Court." She also said that a written copy complaint had been sent to the Crime Branch by the family / relatives.

"The post mortem has been tampered," said Binalakshmi Nepram, Manipur Women Gun Survivors Network, stating that one of the pages of the report that was shown to them by the police mentions nothing worthwhile.

Reiterating foul play, Binalakshmi who visited the scene (the room of the deceased) the next day and later met police officials along with the team leaders, said, "The statement (the possibility of consumption of intoxicating drugs and presence of rodents marks) by the police, the house owner and even the DCP South Delhi, all goes in the same line" .

She recalled seeing fresh vegetables and other eatable items in the kitchen.

"Do you think somebody who wants to kill herself will have the excitement to eat and cook for herself ?" she asked.

Later in the day, SS Gill, ACP Crime Branch, Delhi told The Sangai Express over the phone that he and a team comprising of North East team leaders visited the crime scene (the room of the deceased).

"We are working on it," he said while also mentioning that the complainant and other friends were also taken along to the room of the deceased.

"We checked how the room was locked, and how it was broken," he said.

On being asked about the complaint filed by the relatives, the ACP stated that a complaint had been submitted to the SHO Malvya Nagar police station with a copy to him while also maintaining that it will take some time to file and give a report (findings etc).

On asked about the status of the demand for an FIR to be registered, the ACP said, "FIR has already been filed under section 306 and that additional relevant section(s) will further be added" .

Joining the team who visited the scene, Tangkhul Student Union leader Athot Shinglai said, "It appears that somebody had entered the room, but the fresh vegetables (fruits and eggs) are still there" .

The crowd had dispersed for the day.

But many questions, doubts still linger.