SIPHRO

Imphal, June 3, 2006: Despite the lack of primary medical evidence, there is sample circumstantial evidence to assume that some girls were either raped or molested by underground militants in Parbung and Lungthulien villages, Churachandpur district, according to Malini Bhattacharya, member of the National Commission for Women.

Bhattacharya who conducted an inquiry into the alleged mass rapes by the militants on behalf of the National Commission for Women, told mediapersons today that she had submitted the NCW’s recommendations in connection with its inquiry to the state government.

Bhattacharya met the Governor of Manipur, Dr. SS Sidhu and the state chief minister yesterday in this connection before submitting the recommendations to Manipur chief secretary Jarnail Singh this morning. Briefing the media persons on their findings, she recalled that the NCW’s independent inquiry had been constituted after the NCW was approached by the Hmar Women’s Association and Hmar Students’ Association on the issue.

Accordingly, she visited the two villages on May 10 and 11 and also the refugees at Sakawrdai camp on May 12 and interviewed 19 victim girls, most of them very young, and some of them minors.

She said she found them in traumatic condition, physically weak, and some suffering psychiatric problems.

Though there is a lack of primary medical evidence for rape, molestation and physical harassment of the girls, it is very clear that something did happen to them, she said.

From the ample secondary evidence and statements given by the victims, the commission assumes that some girls were raped or molested, she said.

Out of the 15 girls from Lungthulien and 10 girls from Parbung who had allegedly been raped, the commission was able to interview 19, while for two others, their mothers testified.

At Lungthulien, 13 testimonies were received, including from 10 girls who were allegedly raped and three who were molested and assaulted. Of these, six were minors. Eight testimonies from Parbung, among which four victims were reportedly raped and another four molested. Of these, one was married and three were minors, she said.

Other witnesses including SDPO, Churachandpur, SDO, tipaimukh, SDO Sakawrdai, chairman, village authority, Lungthulien, chairman and three members of the Parbung village authority, four pastors, one woman and two men who had been beaten up or attacked as well as the mothers of some of the victims were also interviewed.

Bhattacharya, while noting the lack of accessibility and means of communications said the tortured and molested villagers have had hardly any medical treatment.

Besides the total absence of civil administration, no rehabilitation scheme under the SC/STs (Prevention of Atrocities) Act has been implemented even after four months, she said.

She also noted that the victims blame Meiteis for their distress and that many do not want to live in Manipur any longer, and stressed the need for immediate steps to restore their confidence on the part of the state administration.

As complaints of rape were lodged very late, it will be difficult to have direct medical evidence, but one or two girls have said they may be able to identify one or two of the culprits, she noted.

She further noted that one girl had an MTP, and the MTP report will provide strong circumstantial evidence.

Though most girls are in traumatized, terrorised condition, a check-up even now of the complaints they are suffering may provide circumstantial evidence, particularly in the minors, she observed. Elaborating on the recommendations made by the NCW, she disclosed that the commission has called for continued posting of armed forces in the area as long as they are needed, clearing of landmines, provision of adequate food supply and food for work programmes until such time that the villagers can till land and raise crops, provision of telephone and mobile connection, repair of approach roads and the Tuivai bridge, and extension of assistance for repair of damaged houses.

The commission also recommended immediate opening of PHC at Parbung, and that doctors be sent on emergency basis for medical treatment of raped and tortured victims.

It further sought vocational training programmes and scholarships to economically weaker student victims to ensure they do not give up study, as well as provision of immediate relief and implementation of a total rehabilitation programme in accordance with the SC/STs (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.

NCW is also proposing to hold an awareness and trauma counselling programme at a suitable place with the help of NGOs, Bhattacharya said.On the response of the state government, she said during their talks yesterday, both the Governor of Manipur and the state chief minister had expressed concern over the reported incidents, and assured to take immediate steps to restore civil administration, and ensure adequate supply of food. They also promised to take needful steps to restore peaceful lives of the victims.

Regarding the Manorama case, which was also looked into by the NCW, she disclosed that the commission had already recommended to the state and central government that the culprit should be punished and measures for non-recurrence of the incident should be put in place.

Regarding the inquiry into the Parbung allegations, she said there is no question of conflict with the Rajkhowa panel, which is also conducting a judicial inquiry into the matter, asserting that its recommendations are made under the mandate of the NCW.

Source: The Imphal Free Press