SIPHRO

Imphal, May 10, 2006: In connection with allegations of mass rape at Parbung and Lungthulien areas of Churachandpur district by cadres of two UG outfits, Parbung police has completed procurement of statements of 23 alleged victims.

Moreover, a member of the National Commission For Women (NCW) would record the victims’ statements tomorrow.

According to reliable source, out of 25 cases registered, 13 concerns rape as per statements given by the victims and other individuals.

Of the 13, three were registered following complaints lodged by the victims themselves with other 10 were based on complaints from village chiefs and other individuals.

Of the remaining 12 cases registered in police, four relate to physical assault, three pertaining molestation and five connected with both molest and assault. Two molest cases were filed by the victims while the third was filed by father of the victim.

Regarding assault cases, three complaints were registered by the victims and the remaining six by village chiefs and others.
Out of 25 cases registered, Parbung police have completed procurement of statements of 23 victims by the time of filing this report.

Concerning the two remaining cases of rape and assault, statements of the victims could not be recorded as the petitioners were unavailable. These two cases were registered on the complaints of respective fathers rather than the alleged victims.
Even as all preparations were made by Parbung police to conduct medical examinations of the victims of rape and physical assault by an authorised professional, the same could not be performed till date as no victim has come forward for the same, mentioned the source.

Nevertheless, Photostat copy of medical report conducted on some of the victims at Aizawl Civil Hospital on February 15 has been received, it disclosed.

The women reportedly examined at Aizawl included medical reports of three victims and one pertaining to a victim of molest.
Following widespread uproar against the incidents at Parbung and Lungthulien, statements of the alleged victims were also recorded by the Rajkhowa Commission of Inquiry during its sittings at Parbung. Further hearing of the commission would resume from May 14 at Churachandpur district HQs, mentioned the source.

Out of 25 complaints lodged, two alleged rape victims have given their statements to link Magistrate at Bishnupur. These include one whose medical report conducted at Aizawl was received by Churachandpur district police.

On the other hand, NCW member Nalini Bhattacharya has reportedly reached Parbung today and would procure statements from the alleged victims tomorrow after which she would leave for Aizawl on May 12.

To provide foolproof security cover during her two day stay at Parbung, Churachandpur SDPO with adequate number of security personnel are camping at Parbung.

In connection with the alleged mass rape of 25 women, underground outfits UNLF and KCP have been accused by different civil societies and NGOs.

In response, the two outfits, strongly denying all the allegations, have pledged full cooperation to any fact-finding team to ascertain the truth of the matter, even going to the extent of roping in International Committee on Red Cross in the investigation.

They have also promised capital punishment if any of their cadres is found guilty in the incident.

Source: The Sangai Express