4 held, house of accused torched
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, July 20 2023:
Four persons accused in the heinous crime of parading naked two women by a mob in an area under Nongpok Sekmai police station have been arrested.
At the same time, house of an accused arrested by police, was torched by a local mob.
Police sources identified the other three perpetrators Yumlembam Jiban (20) son of Ibomcha of Nongpok Sekmai, Khundong-bam Aran (32) of Sikhong Bazar, Nongpok Sekmai, and Ningombam Tomba (22) son of Biren of Pechi Awang leikai.
Haridas was arrested from Yairipok Bazar.
He is originally from Yairipok Bishnunaha but shifted to Pechi at his mother's maternal home after his father died.
Jiban surrendered to Singjamei police station on Thursday while Arun was arrested from Nongpok Sekmai and Tomba from Kongba on Thursday night.
The source further said that chief of the women survivors' village in his complaint to Saikul PS alleged of gang-raping three women on May 4 around 3 pm by a mob armed with sophisticated weapons, who attacked the village and burned houses.
As the place of incident lies within the jurisdiction of Nongpok Sekmai PS, the case was referred to Nongpok Sek mai PS on June 21 .
On the other hand, local women of Nongpok Sekmai blocked RAF personnel in multiple locations to which the RAF personnel used tear gas shells to disperse the protestors but could not move in due to the number of protestors, who even used heavy vehicles to block the road with boulders and sand to prevent movement of the RAF personnel.
Two women, namely Konthoujam Bimola (52) and Konthoujam Justina (20) were injured in the incident.
Manipur police effected the first arrest in connection with the crime when one Huirem Herodas Singh (32) of Pechi Awang Lekai in Thoubal district was rounded up.
As per a case registered at Nongpok Sekmai police station with regard to the viral video of two Kuki women paraded naked by a mob of Meitei men on May 4, it was case of abduction, gang rape and murder.
The 32-year- old was seen in the video, in a green t-shirt, the police said.
The police are trying to establish the identity of the other accused in the video through facial recognition technology.
About a dozen teams are working on the case, the police said, though it is not clear why no action was taken for 77 days.
"The situation was difficult and the initial focus was on crisis management and relief," government sources said on the delay in action.
According to a release of police control room, the police are leaving no stone unturned in their efforts to swiftly arrest the remaining culprits involved in the gruesome incident.
The statement also said that raids are on to control violence in the state, and both state police and central forces are actively conducting search operations in vulnerable and fringe areas of both valley and hill districts.
In one such operation in Imphal East district, two firearms along with five rounds of ammunition were successfully recovered.
Among the recent arrests, one cadre of the proscribed PREPAK-Pro, identified as Md Ibungo alias Abdul Hilim (38) son of late Tomba Khan of Khomidok Epum Mapan, Imphal East, was apprehended by Irnphal East district police.
As a precautionary measure to maintain law and order and prevent any untoward incidents, a total of 129 checkpoints have been strategically set up across different districts of Manipur.
In connection with various violations, 657 individuals have been detained by the police.
Moreover, the state police have been diligently ensuring smooth and secure movement of essential goods and supplies.
A total of 464 vehicles on NH-37 and 138 vehicles on NH-2, carrying vital commodities, have been escorted and facilitated by the authorities.
To bolster security in vulnerable areas, strict measures have been put in place, and security convoys are provided in sensitive stretches to ensure free and safe movement of vehicles, the statement added.
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