Cops caught in domestic row, divorce drama
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, June 07 2009: This is the story of a couple belonging to two influential families in which they exercised their clout over high-profile and powerful actors including cops to beat one another over a domestic matter.

It sounds like the familiar Bollywood story-line in which powerful Thakurs (landlords) fought each other tooth and nail for izzat.

RK Jhaljit of Uripok Khwai Brahmapur and Ningombam Aruna of Thoubal Ningombam but currently staying at Palace Compound were married on December 14, 2007 .

They got separated on June 8, 2008 with a divorce case pending in the Court.

The story took an interesting turn when police commandos pulled up Jhaljit's parents from a marriage mandop on June 5 just as the marriage ceremony of their daughter Sapna (Jhaljit's younger sister) started.

The bride's parents arrested by police commandos right from the marriage mandop have been identified as RK Rajendra and RK Jibanlata of Uripok Khwai Brahmapur.

Just as the marriage ceremony started, a team of police commandos came and attempted to take away Jhaljit's parents, Rajendra and Jibanlata.

Even as the family members and local people pleaded fervently not to take them away as the marriage ceremony could not be performed without them, the commandos were, however, adamant and took away the parents.

A wedding snap of the couple during happier times

The marriage ceremony was however somehow solemnised with the help of local elders who acted the parts of the parents.

Later, following intimation to bring clothes, it was known her parents were at Imphal police station, Jhaljit's other sister, Sanjukta recounted.

When she submitted a written application to the OC of Imphal police station seeking explaining for arresting her parents, the OC refused to receive the application saying that the reasons would be known next morning.

Disclosing that a case related to divorce of her elder brother RK Jhaljit and his wife Aruna Ningombam of Thoubal Ningombam has been pending in Court, Sanjukta said that it appeared police have been interfering in the matter.

Sensing some malicious design behind the unwarranted arrest of her parents, Sanjukta called on the Governor and submitted a written appeal this morning.

The written appeal quoted Imphal West SP L Kailun and Additional SP AK Jhaljit as saying that police interfered in the divorce case of Jhaljit and Aruna due to intense pressure from "higher authority".

Though the case was pending in court, police misused their uniform, power and authority following persistent threats and harassment, the appeal quoted the two police officers.

In her appeal, Sanjukta appealed to the Governor that her parents have been arrested by police under instruction of SP L Kailun in the absence of any complaint, summon, FIR or any legal document.

It also mentioned that her brother AK Jhaljit face life risk in Manipur due to threats from both police and militants.

After perusing the appeal, the Governor assured all necessary action.

He also advised Sanjukta to tell her elder brother not to come to Manipur until the case is settled, Sanjukta conveyed.

On June 1 and 2 also, police commandos came to their house and threatened the family members asking to bring out her elder brother.

Earlier, the family received threats through phone masquerading as insurgents.

True to the words of the Governor, Sanjukta's parents were released on bail by the Court of Additional CJM Lamphel this afternoon.

Sanjukta's mother, Jibanlata said that she was forced to sign on a paper declaring that she took Rs 6 lakhs from Mema, mother of her daughter-in-law Aruna before she was taken to Court.

On the other hand, Aruna Devi (30) d/o Momon said that the arrest of Jhaljit's parents might be related to confiscation of her property by Jhaljit and the harassment she suffered in the hands of Jhaljit.

Aruna and Major Jhaljit (now retired) had affairs four years before tying the knot.

Aruna gave Rs 7 lakhs to Jhaljit before their marriage to build a house.

Another Rs 6 lakhs was also given to Jhaljit on the day of Mapam Chakkouba to buy a car.

After staying at her husband's place at Uripok for around nine days after wedding, the couple went for honeymoon to Malaysia and Bangkok.

Coming back from honeymoon, Aruna and Jhaljit stayed together at the husband's place of posting at Pune.

There Jhaljit started harassing Aruna physically and mentally before Jhaljit handed over his wife to her parents on June 8, 2008 .

Assuming that Jhaljit might come to Imphal on June 5 to attend his younger sister's marriage, Aruna's mother Mema submitted an appeal to police seeking for a meeting opportunity with Jhaljit.

But police could not bring Jhaljit till June 6, the day of his younger sister's wedding.

It is possible that police pulled up Jhaljit's parents because they (police) could not bring Jhaljit after setting different deadlines, Aruna opined.

When they were in Pune, Jhaljit used to physically assault and abuse Aruna with harsh words.

Moreover, Jhaljit mother and elder sister also abused her with lewd words on telephone.

Further, mother of a girl, formerly working as Air-Hostess in Air Deccan, from Thangmeiband Sinam Leikai (name withheld) who has relation with Jhaljit also chided Aurna using indecent words through SMS.

Accusing Jhaljit of forcing her to take Zolam tablets for about three months without prescription from doctor on the ground that she was suffering from mental illness, Aruna quoting a friend of Jhaljit, said that she was told not to allow herself get pregnant for five years.

"Jhaljit took me as his wife with the sole view to lay his hands on my properties.

He had expressed the same viewpoint himself ", Aruna confided.

"Still I think Jhaljit as my husband.

But there has been no response to my phone calls as well as text messages sent from Imphal", she lamented.

"Till today, I've been keeping all these personal matters to myself.

But the news story about the arrest of Jhaljit's parents from a marriage mandop published today has compelled me to speak out the real story", she said.

While Jhaljit has filed an application at a Family Court in Pune seeking divorce, Aruna has filed an appeal seeking unification at a Family Court at Imphal in addition to filing a case on domestic violence.

However, all the three cases are pending in Courts.

Aruna's dowry items are at Jhaljit's home.

Aruna said that she did not know where Jhaljit was staying.

Further, she had no idea whether Jhaljit attended his younger sister's marriage or not.

Quoting a police officer of Imphal West, Aruna said that one Major Sreeram of 39 AR offered to produce Jhaljit on the condition that no one would harm Jhaljit.