Imphal, August 17: Various social organisations have come out strongly against killing of a 14-year old girl after a failed rape attempt at Khatumai village in Senapati district yesterday even as the body was handed over to the bereaved family members after post-mortem at RIMS here today.

The gruesome incident occurred at around 10.30 am yesterday at Khatumai village in Senapati district.

The victim has been identified as Manmaya alias Manju (14) d/o Kharkha Bahadur Chhetry of Khatumai village, located around 2 kms north of Senapati police station.

Recounting the incident while talking to media-persons at the mortuary of RIMS, the bereaved family members said before she met her fate, Manmaya had cooked and served the morning meal to all the family members and she was preparing to go to the paddy field for work when her father asked her to first tend the cows grazing not far away from their house.

Not long after, a frightened Manmaya ran back and told her father that an armed person tried to molest her.

On hearing that, her father immediately left for the grazing ground and confronted the armed person.

After making Ganga, the younger sister of Manmaya to look after the cows, the father was returning home when he heard gun shots from the side of his house.

He rushed in only to found Manmaya shot dead by the armed person.

The armed person also aimed his gun at the father who reacted fast and pushed the barrel of the gun in the air.

One shot was fired in the air and it alerted the neighbouring people who rushed in and overpowered the armed man.

The armed man was being taken along with his hands and legs tied with rope for questioning, when some individuals who identified themselves as members of NSCN took away the accused identified as Hormi alias Ningthou Liangmei (37) of Khudang village but residing in New Eden Garden area of Khatumai.

He is said to be a married man already having four kids.

The body of Manmaya was retrieved by Senapati police today and brought to RIMS Hospital here for post-mortem.

After the post-mortem, the same has been handed over to her family members.

Senapati police has registered a case in connection with the incident but the culprit has not been arrested, police sources said. Meanwhile, terming it as a heinous crime, various social organisations have come out strongly against killing of Manmaya after a failed rape attempt.

Condemning the incident in the strongest term, Manipur Gorkha Welfare Union, All Manipur Gorkha Students' Union and Senapati District Gorkha Committee have demanded that the culprit be given befitting punishment.

Representatives of these Gorkha bodies further informed that a public meeting would be convened at Senapati tomorrow to discuss further course of action to be taken up in this regard.

United NGOs Mission, Manipur has strongly condemned the rape attempt and subsequent killing of 14-year old Manju and said it is a heinous crime committed against humanity.

Condemning the incident, Imphal East Network and Senapati District Network Committee of United NGOs Mission, Manipur demanded that the culprit should be given befitting punishment before the public.

The Poumai Naotuomai Me (Poumai Women Organisation) called for befitting punishment to the culprit and said else crime against children will ever increase.

Women Action for Development (WAD) which is working for the cause of women in the State has also come out strongly against the murder of Manju and demanded that the culprits should not be spared and fitting actions should be taken up to do justice.

Ex-chairman of the dissolved Fact Finding Committee Solomon Veino has also strongly condemned the incident and demanded action against the culprit.

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