SIPHRO

Imphal, April 24, 2006: Altogether 16 girls alleged to have been raped by the cadres of the UNLF and KCP had reportedly given their statements before the Justice Rajkhowa Commission which is probing the Parbung-Lungthulien rape allegations.

The statements were given during the initial hearing of the commission held at Lungthulien and Parbung from April 21 to 24.

Owing to pressures from the villagers that most of the victims were school going girls, initial hearing of the commission was held at Lungthulien village on April 22 although it was supposed to be held at Parbung subdivision headquarters.

A media team who went all the way from Imphal to the commission venue returned empty handed as they were not allowed by locals and various NGOs from taking statements of the victims nor taking photographs, even outside the room where the commission had its proceedings.

On April 23, the panel shifted its hearing venue to Parbung, where six victims deposed before the commission.

The media team however managed to meet Justice Rajkhowa and enquired about the proceedings.

Rajkhowa told the media team that there were numerous claims and counter claims and the commission is looking forward to deliver a true picture.

The commission will take every statements of the victims, but there is difficulties of technical proof over the rape accusations as there has been total lapse of medical examinations of all the victims.

With the numbers of male victims reportedly harassed by the UG on the increase, the commission is likely to shift its hearing venue at Churachandpur headquarters.

In view of the existing fragile law & order situation and in order to successfully conduct hearing of the Rajkhowa panel, security arrangements in Churachandpur has been tightened by deploying additional IRB and police commandos from Imphal West and Bishnupur district.

Source: The Imphal Free Press