TG Rape Case: 4 hurt in police action
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, October 26 2013 : At least four people including three students were wounded in police action on protestors who tried to storm the Cheirap Court complex here when the two accused in the rape case of a TG Higher Secondary School student were brought for hearing today.

The two accused namely Yumnam William (28) s/o late Yumnam Deben of Khagempalli Pankha, who worked as a driver in Manipur Police Commandos and Manipuri digital film actor cum singer Thongam Tarun (27) s/o Thongbam Jayanta of Thangmeiband Sinam Leikai were being brought to the court of District and Sessions Judge, Manipur East A Guneshwor located within the complex of Cheirap Court at Uripok when a large number of protestors including students from TG Higher Secondary School, Johnstone Higher Secondary School, Ibotonsana Higher Secondary School and GP Women's College, and leaders of various women organizations like Universal Mother Organisation (UMO), rushed in shouting slogans and tried to storm the court complex in the afternoon today.

TG Rape Case: 4 hurt in police action

This led to a confrontation between the protestors and the police, who resorted to lathi-charge.

In the ensuing melee, two students of TG Higher Secondary School namely Sweety Maisnam (16) of Haobam Marak Ngangom Leikai and Laishram Sunibala (18) of Laphupat Tera Mayai Leikai but currently staying at Place Compound, as well as another student identified as Soibam Rock (18) of Pureiromba Awang Leikai, and the leader of UMO Sorojini sustained injuries.

Out of the four injured protestors, three of them have been admitted to RIMS for treatment while remaining one at JNIMS.

Meanwhile, All Manipur Students' Union (AMSU) has strongly condemned the police action on the protestors who were demanding justice.

Addressing a press conference at the head office of the student body later in the evening, General Secretary of AMSU Laishram Reagan demanded the state Government to take action against all the police personnel involved in lathi-charging the proetstors who were demanding strict punishment to the rape accused.

"Manipur Government should formulate a policy soon to safeguard the right of women," he further demanded.

Earlier during the day, the court proceeding on the final argument hearing of accused William concluded.

The argument was conducted by Kenjit, the counsel of the accused after having recorded the statements of various witnesses, cross examination and the argument of the prosecution.

With regard to accused Tarun, the argument of the prosecution would begin from November 6.The entire proceeding of the hearing case is expected to be over within November.

The proceeding of the argument in the court was conducted in-camera.

Special Public Prosecutor Ngangom Tejpur was also present during the court hearing today.

It may be recalled here that William and Tarun, both close friends, alleged offer soft drink laced with sedative and committed sexual assault on the victim, a resident of Kongpal Konkham Leikai in Imphal East district, who was then studying in class 12 in TG Higher Secondary School, inside Tampha Fast Food, a restaurant located at Changangei Ucheckon along Tiddim Road near Tulihal Airport on October 20, 2012 .

The trial on the rape case started on February 25 last and both the accused are currently lodged at Central Sajiwa Jail.