Student bodies decry rape, toy with stir plans
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, March 16: Denouncing the alleged rape and murder attempt of an 18 year old girl by an Assam Rifles jawan near the AR's Kotlien post on March 13, three tribal student bodies have submitted a memorandum to Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh today demanding appropriate action against the guilty personnel.

The representation jointly submitted by the Kuki Students' organisation (Gen HQs), All naga Students' Association Manipur (ANSAM) and All Tribal Students' Union (ATSUM) also threatened to launch numerous forms of agitation including a 24 hour Statewide bandh on March 19 to be followed by other modes of protest.

The memo questioning the morale of the AR personnel involved in the rape and attempted murder of an 18 year old girl from Veitum Khullen village located along NH-53 opined that such immoral element can neither serve the interest of his organisation nor of the Nation and called for the accused's immediate termination from service.

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Pointing out that no amount of monetary assistance and consolatory approach/measure can erase the physical strain and mental trauma suffered by the victim girl, the student bodies urged the Chief Minister to arrange for life-time gratuity to the victim of AR felony.

Shifting of the AR post from its present location, compliance to customary norms as a mark of confession of the crimes by the AR, and compensation of the assaulted media persons and women protestors were the other main demands of the KSO, ANSAM and ATSUM.

On the otherhand, speaking to some media-persons at RIMS campus, president of KSO (Sadar Hills) Henkholal Doungel informed that KSO had apprised the ghastly incident to the State Government demanding favourable response within March 19 failing which KSO along with other student and civil society organisations would impose bandh the next day.

With other KSO functionaries, Henkholal was accompanying the victim girl Nengneikim Haokip for physical examination at the department of Forensic Medicine (RIMS) during which he conveyed the proposed course of agitation.

He also informed that despite the bandh call and other future mode of agitations the ongoing HSSLC and HSLC examinations as well as those involved in medical services would be exempted from the purview of the stir.

In the meantime, report received by the press has put more light on the incident including the Assam Rifles adopting conciliatory tactics as well as intimidating individuals involved in demanding justice.

According to sources close to the victim family, one Major Vikram of the Kotlien post showed up at RIMS casualty block where Nengneikim is being treated and urged her family elders to resolve the incident under customary law.

The proposal was, however, rejected by the elders who insisted he (Major) meet KSO functionaries as the case is being handled by the student body.

The spurned Major is said to have then approached secretary of KSO (New Keithelmanbi) Yangkholen Khongsai who was threatened of dire consequences if the case persist any longer.

Yangkholen was also accused of blowing the matter out of proportion by flashing the incident to the media.

A police team that attempted to record statements of the prime accused (rifleman) Nambui Gangmei of Jalukie near Dimapur (Nagaland) was also denied access with AR's Kotlien officials sticking firm that on consent of higher authorities police would be informed.

After medical examination Nengneikim she was escorted by a police team to be produced before the court of Chief Judicial Magistrate, Senapati.

Meanwhile, Superintendent of Police (Senapati) Nishit Kumar Ujjwal said police have begun necessary investigations covering spot inquiry, seizure of samples clothes worn by the victim girl at the time of the incident, recovery of the stone/boulder used by the accused jawan to assault the girl and recording to victim's statement.

She was also examined medically at the Forensic Department of RIMS samples of which would be sent for further examination at forensic laboratory, informed the SP.

Police would also initiate legal procedures to effect arrest of the accused jawan, the SP added.