IMPHAL, March 4: Three persons who are accused in different rape cases who were produced before the Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM) at Cheirap court today were attacked by representatives of various women organizations and angry family members of the victims inside the court complex when they were brought from the Sajiwa Central Jail.
Latjangthai Malangmei, 20 a cadre and deserter or of the ZUF (Zeliangrong United Front) son of Makulung Malangmei of Noney bazaar, Happy Colony under Noney of Tamenglong district, is an accused in the rape of 4 minor school girls of Khoupum Don Bosco school. Latjangthai along with another cadre Dibonpou Kamei after deserting had raped the 4 minor girls on October 5, 2012 at gun point and the former killed Dibonpou. Latjangthai presently lodged in Sajiwa Central jail under FIR number 6(10) 2012 at Khoupum Police station under Section 363/376/34 Indian Penal Code and 25(I-C) Armed Act was produced before the CJM Court Imphal West. The rape accused was remanded to the jail till 11 March by the court which further directed the state to provide a defense lawyer for the accused.
Before the rape accused was produced before the CJM court, a large number of angry women protestors of the Rongmei lu phuam; Khoupum area Rongmei lu Phuam; Naga Women Union, representatives of 37 villages of Khoupum area Nungba sub division and other women organizations of the state gathered in the Cheirap court before the accused were brought in the complex. When Latjanthai Malangmei was being brought under heavy security, the accused was attacked by angry protesters before entering the court room. The protestors shouted slogans, calling for punishment to the rape accused. They also staged a sit in protest in front of the court room holding placards with “Justice delayed is justice denied”, “we demand capital punishment”, “speedy trail in Delhi, why not in Manipur?`, `we decry sexual assault`, and `we demand speedy trail` written on them.
Later, the protesting women took out a protest rally against the rape cases and submitted a memorandum to the state Home Minister demanding for the speedy trial and justice of rape cases and cases of drug trafficking.
When two other rape accused in the case of a student of the Tamphasana Girl`s High SchoolI were being brought to Court under cover of tight security, women protestors heckled the duo, slapping and spitting on their faces. Yumnam William Sing (28) son of (L) Deben of Khagempali Pankha was charged with three Sections 120(B), 376 and 201 of the Indian Penal Code and Thongbram Tarun Singh (27) son of Th Jayenta Singh of Thangmeiband Sinam Leikai charged under two Sections- 120(B) and 376 under the Indian Penal Court.
After the two rape accused were taken away from the court complex, a physical confrontation took place between the mother of the accused Willam and mother of the girl at the gate of the Cheirap court complex which were prevented by personnel of the Imphal Police Station who were present at the time.
Speaking to the media, Sorojini President of the United Mother Association said that the mother of William charged that the victim family that his son who is a CDO in the state police department has been taken off his duty because of the false claim laid by the girl`s family. “William`s mother maintained that he was innocent and that the girl was taking up the case to get money. She spit on the victim`s mother and when I intervened, I was attacked by her, she said.
She further said that William`s mother should clarify regarding her allegations on the girl and attacking her adding that a failure to do so will mean that William`s mother will bear any responsibility for any untoward incident.
