SIPHRO

Imphal, April 17, 2006: The Rajkhowa Commission constituted to probe into the allegations of mass rape of 21 Hmar women by cadres of UNLF and KCP at Lungthulien and Parbung of Churachandpur district on January 16, would commence its sittings from tomorrow at Lungthulien.

To facilitate movement of the probe team with Justice (retired) SP Rajkhowa as its Chairman to the remote village of Lungthulien, a helicopter has been requisitioned by the State Government.

“The State Home Department has confirmed that a helicopter would ferry commission team from Imphal to Lungthulien tomorrow morning”, informed secretary of the commission Kaminikumar.

During their week long stay at Lungthulien, the team would procure statements from the alleged victims and other witnesses.

After his arrival at Imphal today, SP Rajkhowa held a summary discussion about the sittings with Deputy Commissioner of Churachandpur AK Sinha and officials of State Home Department at Hotel Imphal.

In connection with the case, 15 FIRs have been registered in Parbung police as some alleged rape victims have already presented their testimonies to the police authority.

Human Rights Alert (HRA) and Hmar Inpui have already submitted their affidavits before the Commission.

It is reported that former member of Manipur Human Rights Commission advocate Kh Chonjon and State unit coordinator of Human Rights Law Network Meihoubam Rakesh would appear on behalf of HRA.

The UNLF and KCP have strongly denied the allegations of the crime saying that it was deliberately schemed by some vested interest to defame the outfits.

After M Naobi filed an affidavit to the same Commission which is entrusted to probe the sexual assault against her by Thoubal police commandos, the State police has also submitted its affidavits to the Commission today.

Source: The Sangai Express