Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, May 14:
The Manipur Human Rights Commission has today asked the DGP to submit a detailed report on the alleged tonsuring of a woman by a group of women and attempts to burn her alive at Wangoi on May 2.In her petition to the rights body, the woman, Wairokpam ongbi Sophia Devi (22) wife of Binoy Singh of Wangoi Laiphrakpam Leikai, said that she was called out from her house on May 2 at about 11.45 while she was sleeping with her children and mother-in-law.
Once she stepped out of her room, she was confronted by a group of about 40 women, who pounced on her and after accusing her of having illicit relationship with one L Surjit of the same locality, one Renubala Devi assisted by the other women tonsured her head.
Later they took her to the residence of L Surjit and there one Brojen poured kerosene on her in an apparent bid to burn her alive.
Sophia however managed to escape towards Samurou bazar.
It was dawn when she reached Samurou bazar and from there she took a bus to Imphal, said the complainant.
Sophia took shelter at her aunt's place at Lilashing Khongnangkhong and lodged a police complaint with Imphal police.
The case was subsequently transferred to Wangoi police, she said.
Wangoi police arrested 16 women in connection with the case but they were released on bail by the JMIC, Imphal on May 16.In her petition to the MHRC, Sophia said that the police did not arrest the main accused, that is Renubala, Brojen, Pakpi and Anil.
The scissors and her clothes which were doused in kerosene are also yet to be retrieved.
After hearing the case, Justice WA Shishak of the MHRC said, "In my view a prima facie incident involves violation of serious human rights in as much as dignity of the complainant is at stake.




