Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, March 03:
The Rajkhowa Commission probing the case of alleged rape of 21 Hmar women at Lungthulien and Parbung in Churachandpur district in January 2006 has fixed March 14 and 15 for arguments.
In its recent sitting at Hotel Imphal here, the panel headed by retired Justice SP Rajkhowa fixed the dates, disclosed a reliable source in the Commission.
The sitting also rejected a petition filed by HUman Rights Alert (HRA) praying for allowing the ICRC to intervene the case to ensure all parties purportedly involves in the crime may give their statements.
The probe penal had in January this year conducted a hearing at Parbung, the source said, adding that during the forthcoming arguements, the statements of the alleged rape victims as well as other witnesses including village chiefs, police officials of the district among others would be examined.
Hmar civil organisations and a battery of NGOs mostly Churachandpur-based erupte in anger after 21 Hmar women including minors livin in remote Lunthulien and Parbung were allegedly raped by cadres of two banned armed organisations operating in Manipur.
HRA and Manipur Forward Youth Front (MAFYF) had petitioned before the High Court praying for allowing to conduct cross-examination of the alleged rape victims either at Churachandpur district headquarters, Silchar or at Imphal to ensure a free and fair conduct of the inquiry.