Imphal, April 04: With some women organisations requesting the Justice (Retd) Rajkhowa Inquiry Commission to hold its sitting at Parbung to record the statement of the alleged rape victims of Lungthulien, the Commission is minutely studying the situation so that the inquiry may be held in the most effective manner.

Towards this end, the Commission has started studying the topography of the sub-division, the time taken to travel there from Imphal etc.

"We are considering the possibility of holding the sitting at Parbung and a decision will be taken on this point soon," said Justice (Retd) Rajkhowa in an exclusive chat with The Sangai Express at Hotel Imphal today.

The Commission will also study the likely inconveniences the alleged rape victims and witnesses will face while coming to Imphal from their villages to give their statements and while returning to their villages again, said Rajkhowa.

"Among other points, we are also considering the option of holding the sitting at Churachandpur headquarters," further said the retired Judge of Calcutta High Court.

The Hmar Women's Association had earlier urged the Chief Minister to shift the Commission headquarters to Parbung so that the alleged rape victims and the witnesses can give their accounts.

The Judicial Inquiry was instituted by the State Government after some NGOs alleged that 21 Hmar women were raped on January 16 this year at Lungthulien by cadres of two non-tribal underground outfits.

Parbung police is reported to have recorded the statements of some alleged rape victims.

Human Rights Alert, which had gone to the sub-divisions to get a first hand account of the allegations had also submitted its affidavits to the Rajkhowa Inquiry Commission yesterday.

It is learnt that former Manipur Human Rights Commission member Kh Chonjohn and Meihoubam Rakesh State co-ordinator of Human Rights Law Network will appear on behalf of the alleged rape victims.

The Rajkhowa Commission will also probe the sexual molestation allegations raised by M Naobi Chanu against the Thoubal police commandos.

The time for interested parties and individuals to submit their affidavits to the Commission was extended for another 14 days yesterday for the two incidents.

The extension notice was issued after the Commission received a number of representations from many individuals and parties to extend the time limit.

State Police in its representations to the Commission yesterday said that they were in the process of engaging lawyers which will take time.