Non-local man rapes a local woman
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, January 22, 2011: A local female construction worker has accused a non-local male mason of raping her while the police let the accused off purportedly at the behest of an MLA on January 18. While the accused has been identified as Jitendra, 35, from Bihar, presently residing in Nagamapal, the victim has been identified as Sana, 24, d/o Md Zamar and w/o Md Ishlamudin of Kwakta Khunou under Bishnupur district, presently residing in Hatta Minuthong Tellipati since one year ago.

According to the victim, on January 18 she was waiting at Nagamapal for daily wage employer when the Jitendra, the accused, who works in a construction site in Kwakeithel area, approached her for work relating to washing sand and cutting iron rods.

She went along with her friend Wahida to the construction site for daily wage work.

"The construction work at the site was nearing completion and therefore only three of us were engaged in giving final touches," said Sana.

"I and my friend mostly washed sands downstairs while Jitendra mostly works on the third floor," said Sana.

Jitendra summoned Sana on the pretext of helping him in cutting iron rods on the third floor, but as they began cutting iron rods Jitendra allegedly enticed Sana saying, "bhabhi, would you like to watch some x-rated movie on my phone?" As she refused the lewd proposition, she was forced by Jitendra upon which Sana tried to make her escape downstairs when Jitendra grabbed her on the second floor and allegedly raped her.

Sana informed about the incident to her relatives the next day at which she was instructed to get him to Hatta Minuthong from Nagamapal.

As she took Jitendra on an autorichshaw, Jitendra was begging for mercy saying "it was just a mistake and that i would never attempt such thing again in my life." The rape accused, Jitendra, was later handed over by Saba to her cousins, namely Hakim, 27, Azizur, 32, and Abash, 21 on January 19. The relatives of Sana then asked Jitendra to pay compensation as required by customary Islamic law or to face dire punishment.

Jitendra and the relatives of the victim agreed on Rs.50 thousands.

The relatives of Jitendra also beseeched Sana and her relatives not to report the case to the police.

Later on, MLA of Khurai, Ng Bijoy came with his security escorts and allegedly took away Sana's cousins and handed over to the police who arrested them on charges of extortion.

It is highly probable that Jitendra has given wrong information in wining over the sentiment of MLA Ng Bijoy as the situation of hatred for non-locals in the State from disparate groups are volatile, said Suraj Khan, secretary, Minuthong Hatta Golapati Athletic Union.

He further appealed that MLA Ng Bijoy must try and ascertain the truth before defending Jitendra and has asked for his recovery and granting of befitting punishment as is due to a rapist.

"We strongly condemn the rape and for taking advantage of feeble women laborers by non-Manipuris in such a manner that defiles the chastity and morality of a woman".

Comment