Boxing champ Dingku arrested for assaulting girls
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, January 16 2014 : Asian Games 1998 boxing gold medallist Ngangom Dingku has been arrested by police this afternoon for physically assaulting three girl weightlifting students of SAI even as condemnations poured in against the unruly conduct of the former champ.

Thirty-five years old Dingku was arrested by a team of Imphal police station.

He has been charged of physical assault and outraging modesty of women.

Dingku reportedly assaulted three weightlifting students at SAI hostel no 1 within Khuman Lampak Sports Complex in the night of January 13 .

The incident was reported in local media only today after one of the victims disclosed the incident.

Notably, Ng Dingku won gold medal in boxing in the Bangkok Asian Games 1998 .

In honour of his feat, the State Government named the road stretch leading to Khuman Lampak Sports Complex as Dingku Road.

Police earlier registered a case against Dingku for the assault.

Torch rally in Moreh protesting

According to information received from Imphal Police, a case has been registered against Ng Dingku based on a complaint filed by Soibam (O) Bilashini, mother of Soibam Aranbala, one of the victims.

Subsequently, police raided Dingku's house at Sekta as well as his Langol quarters.

Soibam Aranbala is currently undergoing treatment at Shija Hospital.

Talking with The Sangai Express, Bilashini said, "I cannot stand and see the wounds of my daughter.

I don't like to keep my daughter in the SAI hostel any longer" .

Even if the girl had committed some mistakes, he (Dingku) could have chastised her as a student.

But physically assaulting the girl in severe manner apart from scolding the girls using stinging words is something unexpected and unpardonable, Bilashini said.

She urged the authority concerned to take up befitting action against Dingku.

Aranbala scribbled the words 'Oja Dingku' with her fingers on Dingku's car covered with dust and dew which was parked near the SAI hostel's volleyball court at around 7 pm of January 13 .

Charging that 'Kiranbala I love you' was scribbled before the words 'Oja Dingku', the former Navy-man and presently SAI boxing coach thrashed Aranbala (17) of Moreh Ward No 6, Puyam Yaiphabi (14) of Sugnu Wapokpi and Chumka Panmei (18) of Phalong village, Tamenglong district.

Talking to this reporter at Shija Hospital today, Aranbala confessed that she scribbled the words 'Oja Dingku' only and nothing more.

Driving the car Dingku went home and came back again.

He called out girl students of boxing and weightlifting staying at the hostel, and asked who scribbled those words.

At this, Aranbala confessed that she scribbled the words and prostrated before Dingku seeking forgiveness.

But Dingku did not listen all the pleadings of Aranbala and slapped her hard on the face.

Then Dingku asked Aranbala, Yaiphabi and Chumka to kneel and started caning them.

Even as the stick broke apart, Dingku continued thrashing the girls with the stalk of a broom.

Apart from physically assaulting the girls, Dingku further assaulted the girls verbally using such words like 'you can be only second wives', 'you are good for washing clothes only' etc.

While the young girls were subjected to such painful harassment, the hostel warden did not speak a word.

Aranbala, Yaiphabi and Chumka Panmei were attended by their seniors that night.

Next morning, they were taken to a health centre near Khuman Lampak by some teachers.

But Aranbala caught fever and was admitted in Shija Hospital.

Meanwhile, Yaiphabi's father Puyam Robot and Chumka Panmei's family have condemned the assault in the strongest term.

Even as The Sangai Express tried to take comments of Ng Dingku, all attempts proved futile.

Aranbala is a class XI (Science) student of Moreh Higher Secondary School and she has already submitted exam forms of class XI exam which would be conducted by COHSEM.

Aranbala has been learning weightlifting at the SAI hostel since the past one year.

Aranbala said, "Oja Dingku's conduct was inhumane.

He should be removed from the post of SAI boxing coach and befitting action should be initiated against him." Assault condemned: The Manipur Weight Lifting Association and Mapi Council have condemned the reported assault of three woman weightlifting students of SAI by Asian Games Boxing Gold medallist, Ng Dinku, who is also a coach at SAI which left one hospitalised.

Speaking to reporters today, MWLA secretary, Sunil Elangbam said that the act was uncalled for while demanding fitting action against Dinku.

The act pertains to crime against women, he said while adding that legal experts should also be consulted so as to facilitate legal action against boxer Ng Dinku.

He also said that the Manipur Weight Lifting Association would extend financial assistance to the hospitalised girl if need arises so.

Speaking at the occasion, Olympian Ng Sonia said that the incident strained the relation between the players and the coach.

Meanwhile, the Manipur Peace and Integrity Council (MAPI Council) strongly condemning the act has warned of launching different forms of agitation if no action is taken against Dinku within a week.

The MAPI Council today doled out financial assistance to Aranbala who has been hospitalised at Shija Hospital.

Advisor of Mapi Council, Th Manihar while strongly condemning the act demanded that Dinku Road be renamed stripping his name.

He demanded the Boxing and Weightlifting associations to initiate fitting action against the pugilist.

At the same time, members of the Manipur Commission for Protection of Child Rights and representatives of DESAM have visited the victim at Shija Hospital.

The MCPCR members assured to take up the matter under Section 13 of Child Protection Act, 2005 .

Moreh Correspondent adds: Various Moreh-based civil organisations have registered strong condemnation against the assault of the weightligting students by Dingku.

Preceding a protest rally staged in the border town this evening, a meeting was convened by all community leaders of Moreh earlier in the day at the Conference hall of MCM, Moreh which was attended by representatives of Kha-Nongpok Apunba Nupi Apunba Lup, Nupi Khunai Chaokhat Lamjing Lup, Kuki Women's Union & Human Rights, Muslim Women's Development Society, Minority Women's Development Association, Moreh.

The meeting was also attended by community leaders including M Thoiba, Ginsei Lhungdim, V Sekhar, I Ibobi, Md Salim Khan.

Strongly condemning the assault, the meeting decided to launch various forms of agitation if Dingku or his family fails to give in to the all community leaders before 2pm of Jan 18 .