SIPHRO

Imphal, April 25, 2006: The Rajkhowa Commission of Inquiry has begun hearing the Lungthulien and Parbung rape cases at PMS High School campus on April 21 and 22. Altogether 16 women, including one 24 year old housewife deposed and narrated their nightmarish account before the probe panel set up by the Government to ascertain allegation of mass rape by UNLF and KCP cadres some months back.

A media team proceeded to cover the hearing in the interior location of Churachandpur district wherein the victims’ side of the atrocity story were detailed with Hmar Inpui volunteers and security personnel throwing a protective ring around the probe room.

Even as the Inpui volunteers restrained the media persons from photographing the hearing venue, Justice Rajkhowa nevertheless addressed the media team after recording the victims’ report at around 3.18 pm.

He conveyed that the hearing on the Lungthulien and Parbung incident was held in-camera at the request of the victims amid presence of four individuals utilised to translate the complainants’ version in English.

the alleged victims were closeted adjacent to the Commission’s hearing venue located in the school headmistress’ room.

According to the probe panel’s Chairman barring the housewife all the other victims were below 19 years of age, including one alleged rape victim of only 12 years but declined to detail their identities.

After recording comments of 16 persons on April 22, Lungthulien village chief and the pastor briefed Rajkhowa on the conduct of the armed persons, he said and informed that April 23 and 24 have been reserved to hear complaints of victims from Parbung sub-division area.

However, the in-camera hearing did not resume the next morning at the designated venue of CDPO office as unavoidable circumstances led to search for a new place resulting in the media team to return to the State capital.

Expressing confidence that the Commission would be able to make a conclusive report in the incident on completing the hearing processes, the Chairman also explained that there would hardly be any relevance in conducting medical examination of the victims as the alleged incident had taken place some four months back.

He also declared that insistence on medical examination at this juncture would only delay the final outcome of the investigation process.

When questioned how a conclusive report could be made on the matter as neither the victims were put through medical test nor is there possibility of recording versions of the alleged perpetrators, the Chairman asserted that on account of the victims’ version and belief of the Commission recommendation for further proceedings could be made to the Government.

Meanwhile, the retired Justice speaking to The Sangai Express at his Hotel Imphal office chamber today, said necessary process is on to fix a date for another sitting at churachandpur district headquarters to record statement of interested parties in the case.

“Tomorrow morning we would probably fix a date for the last temporary sitting at churachandpur,: said Rajkhowa while informing that after the said session is over hearing on the alleged sexual abuse of M Naobi Chanu would proceed.

Conveying keen desire to complete the twin inquiry in the most expeditious manner, he also described as ‘most cooperative’ people who witnessed the Parbung and Lungthulien sittings saying the people there wished the hearing period was extended for some more days.

Disclosing that the Commission also received a list of 204 persons during the Parbung sitting who were alleged to have been physically assaulted by militants, he further opined that out of those women who deposed before the panel some were rape attempt.

Regarding the Naobi Chanu episode, the Chairman informed of having received affidavits filed by the police under sealed cover.

Source: The Sangai Express