Justice still eludes murder of Ichan in 2006
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, December 02, 2014: With increasing cases of crime against women in the country, various NGOs and civil organisations have been pressing the Government to take up steadfast measures to ensure safety of women.

One such cases is that of Samjetsabam Thambaltombi alias Ichan(12) who was allegedly raped and found brutally murdered on December 17, 2006.Born in a poor family at Andro Awang Leikai, Thoubal district, Ichan, who was studying in third standard at that time used to collect firewood from the neighbouring wooded areas alongwith rest of the villagers.

Victim's mother, Samjetsabam Ongbi Amubi(59) recounted, "On that day, Ichan had gone to collect firewood at around 6 am.

While rest of the villagers who went along with her returned, Ichan did not come home.

After searching at every possible places, her dead body was finally recovered from Chingathenbi Chaphu Uppi(Uyok) at around 7 pm.

Her body bore injury marks around her neck and cheeks which could have been caused by a sharp object.

Her clothes were recovered a little distance away".

Despite constitution of a JAC in connection with the death of Ichan, the bereaved family has not been delivered justice till date.

It may be noted that six individulas were pulled up by police for interrogation but all of them were released after they were reportedly found not guilty of the crime.

The victim's family have borrowed rupees forty thousand for expenditures incurred by the people seeking justice on behalf of the family.

Interest of rupees two thousand is being paid every month till now.

Condemning the brutal death and negligence of the department concerned, Amubi questioned if the reason behind all these injustices is due to the fact that the family belongs to Scheduled Caste and has no money power.

Eight years have passed since the supsicious death of Ichan but the family has not given up hope for justice.

One of the surprising fact is that post mortem report of the victim was not revealed to the family.

The Women Action for Development (WAD) Imphal met the victim's family and later visited Yairipok police station to enquire about the long-pending case.

Speaking to mediapersons, WAD secretary Sobita Mangsatabam said had the State Government initiated a stern action and rewarded a rigourous punishment to the accused, crime against women should be comparatively lower.

If the department or authority concerned takes up the such cases seriously, then any crime in the society can be prevented.

Stating that a number of cases relating to crimes against women have not been chargesheeted till now, Sobita Mangsatabam said the department concerned is in dormant state.

She further urged the State Government and department concerned to consider the plight of women in the State, undertake an immediate action and bring the matter to light.

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