SIPHRO

Imphal, August 8, 2006: The proposals of Human Rights Alert (HRA) and Manipur Forward Youth Front (MAFYF) to airlift their member representatives for the Rajkhowa panel’s sitting at Parbung, in connection with the alleged mass rape incident, has been declined by the State authorities.

The probe panel along with legal representatives and interpreters of HRA and MAFYF are scheduled to cross examine the supposedly rape victims for six days from August 21 onwards.

A source within the probe panel informed The Sangai Express that the state government has approved the Rajkhowa Commission’s intimation to arrange a chopper for transportation of the commission’s team including the chairman Justice (retired) SP Rajkhowa, his personal security officer, an interpreter and the commission’s secretary.

However, the State government has declined to approve appeal of the two Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) to allow their lawyers and interpreters be a party in the chopper voyage to the inquiry spot, the source said.

Consequent upon the rejection, the probe panel has also done the needful to convey the same to HRA and MAFYF counsels to make their own arrangements for reaching Par- bung and join the cross-examination exercises.

Owing to charges and counter-charges pertaining to UNLF and KCP cadres allegedly involved in the gang rape of 21 Hmar women folk at Lungthulien under Parbung police station in Churachandpur district on January 16 this year, the two underground organisations suggested that independent bodies be allowed to probe into the matter to ascertain the fact.

Justice Rajkhowa, who also probed into the alleged sexual assault on Maibam Naobi Chanu by police commandos, has reportedly submitted his initial finding before the state government.

Under sealed cover, the retired judge of Calcutta High court submitted his findings on Naobi case to chief minister O Ibobi Singh on August 6.

Source: The Sangai Express