Imphal, March 23, 2006: The OC, Parbung police station, has registered FIR for 10 rape cases, and recorded the statements of four such victims in connection with the rape allegations raised against UNLF and KCP cadres in Tipaimukh subdivision.
This was stated by Human Rights Alert executive director, Babloo Loitongbam, and other members of the civil society team that recently visited Tipaimukh subdivision and the relief camps set up in Mizoram to look into the condition of the alleged rape victims and the refugees who have fled their homes while interacting with mediapersons today.
The team, which also included Aram Pamei, president of Rongmei Luphuam Women`s Organisation, Joseph Hmar, president Hmar Students Organisation and Elizabeth Hmar, also met with some of the alleged victims and heard their stories.
According to Babloo Loitongbam, 15 cases of rape were reported at Lungthulen, five at Parbung and one at Torbung.
The team met with four of the alleged rape victims at Sakawrdai where a camp for the Hmar refugees who have fled their homes in Manipur has been set up.
Around 500 people are still at the camp, according to Loitongbam.
At Lungthulen village, the team met the village chief, who informed them of ten rape cases. The village chief said that some 401 villagers were injured due to atrocities, and sought the team`s help in securing compensation.
At Parbung, the team met with the officer-in-charge, Parbung police station, the SDO and the CO of the local Army unit.
Loitongbam quoted the local Army CO that the military will be staying till the complete restoration of civil administration.
The OC, Parbung, informed that an FIR registered in respect of ten rape cases, and investigation has started from March 9.
Team member Joseph Hmar said there may be other women victims, some of them married, who are still afraid to come forward.
Asked specifically by mediapersons whether the alleged victims had directly accused UNLF and KCP cadres, Babloo Loitongbam responded that the task of the team was not to find out who was responsible, but to look into the condition of the victims and express their sympathy.
He also stated that with the Manipur government having instituted a judicial inquiry, the truth will eventually come out.
Loitongbam further said that a detailed report of the team`s trip would be prepared.
On the other hand, Aram Pamei and Elizabeth Hmar quoted the rape victims as saying that the UGs wore face paint and some were masked, so it may not be possible to identify them.
However, one of the victims mentioned that one UG was addressed by his friends as Maimu. He is believed to be one of the KCP cadres who had been staying in the area for some time, they said.
Source: The Imphal Free Press