Meeting condemns rape of housewife
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, March 24 2012: In connection with the alleged gangrape of a housewife a public meeting was held at the Thanilkhun Ward No 7 community hall in Bishnupur district today.

Among others the meeting was attended by representatives of the Kabui Mothers' Association, Zeliangrong Women Union, Zeliangrong Church Zone, Zeliangrong Students' Union, Zeliangrong Baudi South Zone, Zeliangrong Youth Front and United Committee Manipur.

As per Bishnupur district police report, 40-year old *********** of Longlei village under Khoupum in Tamenglong district was gangraped by some individuals on March 22 at around 2 am.

Four persons, including two police personnel, have been rounded up by the district police in connection with the case.

It is said that *********** had gone out of home with her brother in-law namely Sathairung Kamei (35) in a Shaktiman truck to sell U-morok (Chilli) at Imphal when they were halted by 3/4 unknown persons at near Keinou Awang Leikai.

The unknown persons, who reportedly came in a Santro car, with one of them possessing a small arm, assaulted the Shaktiman driver (Sathairung), snatched two Nokia handsets, looted Rs 6500 besides confiscating about 40 kgs of chilli worth about Rs 32,000, that belongs to the victim lady.

As one of them started to outrage her modesty at a nearby field, *********** shouted for help thus shielding herself from similar inhumane act by the other culprits, said the police report.

It also mentioned that along with arrest of the four accused persons, the district police managed to recover one country-made pistol with magazine, one Nokia handset, a bag containing about 40 kgs U-morok and a steel colour Santro car.

Those arrested in connection with the case have been identified as Laikhuram Rojit Singh (28) s/o L Tomba of Porompat JN Hospital Road, 1st IRB Havildar Chungkham Ibomcha alias Iga Singh (37) s/o Ch Shamo Singh of Thongju Boroi Makhong, Santro car owner Salam Bijen Singh (34) s/o S Gourababu Singh of Uripok and 1st IRB Rifleman Kshetrimayum Kenedy alias Dungi (37) s/o Ksh Achou Singh of Kongpal Chanam Leikai.

Speaking at the meeting, Ngamsuaklung informed that his wife left home for the market place to trade off the chillies but was instead confronted by the perpetrators, who separated *********** from her brother in-law and raped her at an isolated place.

He maintained that *********** decided to accompany Sathairung in the latter's vehicle as the brother in-law was supposed to off-load timber at a saw mill located in Irom Meijrao area.

Strongly condemning the despicable act, UCM president Yumnamcha Dilipkumar applauded the district police for prompt action and rounding up the culprits.

The police action would be a lesson for individuals with criminal mind to refrain from similar acts in the future, he opined.

While appreciating ***********'s boldness in coming out with the truth and noting another rape victim ***********'s disclosure ultimately resulting in the punishment of the culprits, Dilipkumar expressed hope that Home Minister Gaikhangam would take appropriate action to punish the IRB men involved in the case.

He also cautioned Home Minister Gaikhangam that failure to initiate prompt punitive action would compel NGOs to launch various agitation.

The meeting ended with the formation of a JAC and resolved to submit a memorandum to the Chief Minister for suitable action against the accused persons.

Sumitra Kamei and Gaishim Maringmei have also been named as the JAC convenor and co-convenor respectively.

Meanwhile, speaking to The Sangai Express *********** said that one out of six Shaktiman trucks loaded with timbers ran out of fuel upon reaching Keinou Awang Leikai area at around 2 am of March 23 during which the unknown persons came in the Santro car and committed the crime.

Apparently contemplating that the unknown persons might suspect their relationship if told that Sathairung was her brother in-law, the latter informed the four that they were husband and wife, said the lady who added that after severely thrashing her brother in-law (Ngamsuaklung's younger brother) she was pulled down from the truck dumped into the car and taken away at an isolated spot where she was raped.

one of the car occupants whipped out a small arm and instructed to remain silent failing which she would be shot dead, maintained *********** adding that inspite of fervent plea that she was married and have children at home one of the four outraged her modesty as the others pinned her down.

At day-break she reportedly realised that the place where she was raped was close to Irom Meijrao, where she was also reunited with her brother in-law and other occupants of the timber-loaded trucks.

Informing that Sathairung had filed a report at Bishnupur police station on the incident, she claimed to have overheard one of the culprits calling 'Sir Tiken' on the mobile phone and demanded thorough investigation into the incident for pulling up all those involved in the crime.

*********** also contended that she rejected accused persons offering her money to remain silent when she went to identify the culprits at Bishnupur police station.

Stating that she have two sons and two daughters and was planning to pay for their schooling out of the money earned from selling the chillies, *********** also demanded capital punishment of the guilty persons.

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