Two mamous held for assaulting mother-in-law
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, May 24 2024: Police have arrested two women on the charge of assaulting their mother-in-law, today.

The incident came to the knowledge of the Social Welfare Department after a clip was widely circulated on social media wherein the woman (77) was seen assaulted on the pretext of bathing her for excreting in a bed.

The elderly woman is one Yumlembam Kunjarashi, w/o Late Thoiba and they have four children (all sons).

Three of her sons (all married) were drug addicts and they have expired.

After examination, the department traced the place where the incident took place at Luwangsangbam Awang Leikai Haotabi under Heingang police station in Imphal East, yesterday, following which the Deputy Commissioner of Imphal East and the police were informed of the incident.

In the clip which went viral, Yumlembam ongbi Rejina (43), one of the accused (eldest daughter in-law) was seen undressing her mother in-law after dragging her out to their courtyard.

The elderly woman tried to cover her body but her daughter inlaw forcefully stripped all her clothes and poured water on her by scolding and hitting her.

The other woman arrested is Yumlembam ongbi Premi (39) alias Saya Devi and she has been accused of abusing her mother-in-law frequently.

It has been learnt that the video was uploaded by one Rohikanta, husband of Premi, the third and only son left of the elderly woman.

Rohikanta has also been picked by the police for interrogation as he, instead of stopping the ill-treatment of his mother, captured incident on the video camera.

Speaking to the media in this regard at North AOC, Social Welfare Director Ng Uttam said that they saw the disheartening video yesterday.

Saying that a team of Social Welfare was constituted soon after they saw the video and started probing the matter, Uttam added that they confirmed the place of the incident to be at Luwangsangbam Awang Leikai Haotabi and informed the Imphal East DC and Imphal East police shortly after.

The Imphal East DC asked the SDPO of Porompat police to investigate the incident, he said and added that a team of Social Welfare officials and Heingang police rushed to the said house.

The elder woman was found staying at the house quietly, Uttam said.

During interrogation it was found that Kunjarashi was living with dementia since 2022, Uttam continued.

Saying that Kunjarashi still gets pension as her late husband was a Government employee, the Social Welfare Director added that it is Rohikanta and his sister inlaw Rejina who have been looking after the elderly woman on a rota basis.

It has been found during the investigation that Premi also abused her mother-in-law very often, Uttam continued.

Saying that the two women were not arrested yesterday as legal procedures have to be followed, Uttam added that Rejina and Premi were arrested by Heingang police this morning.

Ill-treatment of elderly people is against the law and societal norms, Uttam said.

Saying that a rule known as Manipur Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens was passed in 2023 and the same has been published in a gazette, the Social Welfare Director added that a similar Act was also passed in 2007.Appealing to all concerned to lodge a complaint to the SDOs concerned if they come across any case of ill-treatment of senior citizens and parents, Uttam added that the SDO will be given the Magisterial power to handle the case.

Saying that senior citizens can take upto Rs 10,000 as maintenance allowance from their sons, daughters or grandchildren who are above 18 years as per the rule, Uttam added that any senior citizen can take the maintenance allowance from the person who will inherit his/her properties if he/she doesn't have a child.

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