Candle Light Vigil and Protest at Jantar Mantar for A S Reinghamphi
- Date: 6th June, 2013 -

Condemn Assault And Murder Of Ms A S Reinghamphi From Northeast In India’s Capital Delhi
Candle Light Vigil And Protest At Jantar Mantar,
Thursday 6 June 6:30 PM

New Delhi, 5 June 2013: On 29th of May 2013, Ms A.S. Reingamphi alias A.S. Solam from Ukhrul district of Manipur was found dead under suspicious circumstances in her rented accommodation, House no. 424/B , Ground Floor, Chirag Delhi, New Delhi -110017 under Malviya Nagar Police Station in India’s capital Delhi. There were signs of brutal mutilation on her nose ,face and her legs .Her eyelids were scratched, eyes were bleeding and there was a pool of blood where she was found lying.

POLICE REFUSES TO FILE AN FIR

The deceased’s relatives submitted a complaint letter to the SHO, Malviya Nagar Police Station on 29th May 2013. They charged the landlord and his brother-in-law of sexually assaulting and murdering Ms Reingamphi. They informed the police that the brother-in-law of the landlord was stalking and harassing Ms Reingamphi and specifically over this weekend , 25-26th May, the landlord called her repeatedly. The SHO of the Police Station Malviya Nagar refused to file an FIR.

REFUSAL TO FILE FIR AS PER THE COMPLAINANT’S REQUEST

After 3 days of sustained pressure on 31 May, the Malviya Nagar Police finally lodged an FIR under Section 306, which is abetment to suicide. This is in complete disregard of the preliminary post-mortem report, which does not mention the cause of her death and against the wishes of the family.

On 1 June 2013 the Minister for Women and Child Development Dr Kiran Walia, arrived at the Malviya Nagar Police Station, where protests went on and intervened, saying that the case will be transferred to the Crime Branch and asked for a fresh post-mortem investigation.

THREATS FROM THE LOCAL COMMUNITY

A humble candle light vigil was organized near the house of the deceased in Chirag Dilli on 1st June, 2013.At the site of the vigil , the locals threatened the participants that if any of the local boys were investigated/picked up by the police then those from the North East living in that area would face consequences.

OUR DEMANDS

We, the civil society and women’s groups from all over Northeast region , Delhi and India condemn the killing of Ms A.S. Reingamphi alias A.S. Solam and call upon Govt of Delhi, Govt of India to ensure justice is done. We have been protesting over last several days to ensure justice is done and will continue our struggle to ensure peace to family of late Ms A.S. Reingamphi.

1. The present FIR done unilaterally by Malviya Nagar Police Station Delhi without taking into consideration the complainants’ letter be retracted and a fresh FIR be filed alleging sections 302(Murder) and 304(Culpable Homicide not amounting to murder) of the Indian Penal Code. Malviya Nagar Police Station had filed FIR under IPC Section 306 ( abetment to suicide ) which has been rejected by family members.
2. Serious attention must be paid to the discrepancies between the first and the second Post Mortem reports.
3. The suspects– the landlord and his brother-in-law– should be arrested and thoroughly questioned.
4. All the institutions involved speed up the process of investigation and justice be delivered. In this regard, the viscera report should come out as soon as possible.
5. Action to be taken against the Police officials of the Malviya Nagar Police Station for refusing to file an FIR which is the right of all the citizens.
6. Action to be taken against the residents of Chirag Dilli who said on 1st June 2013 at a candle light vigil held in memory of the deceased that if any of their men were investigated, they will take ‘action’ and thus threatened the relatives and supporters of the deceased and people of Northeast
7. Request Crime Branch Delhi to look into “pamphlet” circulated in hindi by Chirag Dilli men folk regarding the death and threats given to friends of the deceased on 3 June 2013 and ensure all protection be given to them.
8. Ensure the safety, security of all the people from North Eastern who are living, working and studying in Delhi be treated equally without any discrimination and ensure justice is done.

For more information please contact:

Tangkhul Katamnao Long Delhi ; Athot Shinglai , Jagori , Bosco,

Signed by:
Family and friends of the late Ms A.S. Reingamphi
Tangkhul Naga Society Delhi
Naga Peoples Movement for Human Rights
Tangkhul Katamnao Long Delhi (TKLD)
Naga Students Union Delhi
North East Helpline & Support Centre
Manipur Women Gun Survivors Network.
Tangkhul Shanao Long Delhi
Poumai Students Union
Jagori
Nirantar
Qashti-LBT
Citizen’s Collective Against Sexual Assault Delhi
Citizens from all across Northeast, rest of India and Others.