Sex racket busted ; Govt top brass listed as clients
Source: Hueiyen News Service / Pamreiso Shimray

Ukhrul, November 21 2012: In one of the most appalling stories, illegal flesh trade in the State of Manipur has unfolded intriguing drama after it claimed two 'innocent' teenagers from Ukhrul district and their subsequent escape from the clutches of their so-called "madams" recently.

The story has come to light after the arrest of three prostitution kingpins namely Mariam Zimik (32) of Chatric Khunou village under Chassad police station, Kamjong sub-division, Jennifer Shinglai (25) and Sopemla Kashung (26), both hailing from Tangkhul Hundung village under Kasom Khullen subdivision of Ukhrul district by the womenfolk of Kamphasom locality in Ukhrul town.

An independent investigation conducted by the Khampasom womenfolk on Sunday last revealed an intriguing story of sex racket involving girls from almost all the communities of Manipur.

In a most perplexing revelation, a confessional statement included the names of certain top brass of the State.

In the infamous list of clients involved in the illegal flesh trade, the names of former ministers and commissioners have come to the fore.

All things fell apart for the sex trade racketeers after the engagement of a teenage girl, Fancy (name changed) as domestic worker by Mariam Zimik at her house at Kamphasom locality.

In due course from September to October, Mariam coaxed Fancy into a flesh trade at Ukhrul.

Eventually, in the first week of November, Fancy and her teenage friend Lolita (name changed) were taken down to Imphal by Mariam on promise of better job.

They were handed over to two of her accomplices Sopemla Kashung and Jennifer Shinglai, who are presently residents of Gulabati colony.

Unfortunately, the two women turned out to be pimps and have notorious links with high-profile people.

Few days after their arrival in Imphal, the women began to arrange prospective clients for the two teenagers and the earnings were split among them.

For the two teenage girls, the developing situation became intolerable.

Unable to bear the treatment meted out by their so-called ''madams'', they ran away to Ukhrul after packing some dresses of the two women.

On finding out the escape of the two teenage girls, they came trailing for them to Ukhrul on Sunday and traced their whereabouts.

Then, both the girls were taken to Mariam's house and trashed them black and blue after stripping off their clothes by using sticks and iron bar.

Later, they handed over the girls to women group of Kamphasom locality on false charges of stealing.

On enquiry, the intriguing story unfolded, thus prompting the Kamphasom women to pull up Sopemla and Jennifer, and confined them for further enquiries.

Meanwhile, Mariam went into hiding but was caught the next day and taken into the custody of the women group.

Kamphasom women Society admitted Fancy and Lolita to hospital after their condition worsen from the inquiry induced beating.

The three sex racketeers have been handed over to Tangkhul Shanao Long (TSL) .

Further, an interrogation conducted by Tangkhul Shanao Long unearthed the startling truth that the episode is just a tip of an iceberg of the greater flesh trade in Manipur.

It has also come to light that Mariam is the ring leader of Ukhrul while Sopemla and Jennifer are her main agents in Imphal.

The three racketeers, as per their confessional statement, revealed that one woman had initiated them into the flesh trade.

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