ZRA rips masks off 3 rapists; 2 houses set ablaze
Source: The Sangai Express / S Singlianmang Guite

Lamka, December 23 2010: Exactly ten days after the dead body of a forty-six year old woman was unearthed, fully nude, at a paddy field near Yaiphakol village here, the Zomi Revolutionary Army has rounded up three individuals for their alleged involvement in the crime following a protracted operation at Yaiphakol in the afternoon, local villagers said.

The ZRA paraded all male members in the village at around 1 pm today, for physical scrutiny, an elder at Yaiphakol village said.

'They seemed to be looking for scratch marks on the body as we were told to remove our shirts one after another,' said another.

The three alleged rapists who were rounded up by the ZRA being produced before the media

When told to remove his shirt, an individual identified as Konthoujam Ibungo Chouba, 30 son of K Jiken allegedly refused to comply and immediately turn panicky leading the ZRA cadres to further question him.

He not only admitted to the crime but also revealed the names of two more accomplices, a man leading the ZRA search team said.

The two accomplices are identified as Wangkhem Tomba, 35 husband of Manglembi of Yaiphakol and Chunganbam Goinao alias Nanao, 30 husband of Bansanti of Thingkangphai, presently residing at Yaiphakol.

While Tomba is a father of four, Nanao has three.

Upon enquiring a villager who choose to remain anonymous said, the intelligence wing of the ZRA have on the 21, a day after some belongingsof the victim was discovered, made a thorough search of the same area and discovered a Cap and a torn 'Banian' for which they were on the look-out for scar marks.

'They have even tested the cap that was permanently stitched on the adjustment point to each of us,' he said and further confirmed that the 'banian' itself belongs to Tomba.

The ZRA after ascertaining the involvement of the trio in the rape and murder of Hatkholhing Guite inform the deputy commissioner through the joint women organization that the three criminals are in their custody.

By the time the police arrived at the scene, some people have already gathered on the spot and began throwing abuses and blow to the three offenders.

As the police try to take them inside the police vehicle, the crowd that already gathered at the spot started venting their anger on the three giving the police a hard time in gaining control of their custody.

When the police manage to make their way through the crowd the offender trio seems to be in semi-conscious or unconscious state.

Meanwhile, the villagers of Yaiphakol tonight at around 5.30PM set ablaze two houses that belong to the apprehended offender.

The third being tenant, his family was expelled from the village, sources said.