Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, December 17:
In a gruesome incident, a 10-year old girl who had gone to Nongmaijing hill to collect fire wood was found hacked to death.
The motive behind the killing and the identity of the murderer/s have not yet been confirmed.
The victim has been identified as Samjetsabam Ichal alias Thambaltombi (10) d/o S Munan of Andro Awang Leikai.
She was studying in class IV at Andro Dam High School.
According to local people, today being a Sunday, Ichal had gone to the hill early morning to collect fire wood.
While other people returned home at around 7-8 am, she failed to do so and her superstitious family members thought she might have been lured away by some evil spirit.
They used drums and cymbals and went out searching for her and found her body lying a spot known as Changathenbi, about 1 km toward north of their residence.
The body was found lying on its stomach with knife wounds on its neck and calf.
The local people suspected that she might have been first raped and then later killed to keep the matter hushed up.
A complaint has been lodged with the police late in the evening today though the body is being kept at home.
The post-mortem and other medical examinations are likely to be conducted tomorrow.
Though Andro and Nongmaijing Ching are part of Imphal East district, the area falls under the jurisdiction of Yairipok PS.