IMPHAL, May 24: The Universal Mothers’ Organization today called a press conference urging the District and Sessions Court to withdraw its decision to take the statement of a rape victim, a student of TG Higher Secondary School student and the two accused in the case together.
The two accused in the case are Imphal West Police driver Yumnam William and actor Thongam Tarun.
The press conference, held at the Manipur Press Club was also attended by representatives of the Joint Action Committee formed against rape of the student.
Speaking to media persons, spokesperson Ningthoujam Leima said the District and Session Court has decided to take statement of the rape victim along with the two accused on May 27.
Saying that the girl has already been traumatized and not in any condition to recount the incident before the two accused, Leima further appealed to the Court to allow a member of the UMO or the mother of the girl to accompany her if such proceeding of taking statement is inevitable, so that the girl may get the courage to speak out the truth without any apprehension.
In case the court fails to understand the issue and disregard the people’s appeal and proceed to record the statement of the girl, the concerned Judge and the Government should be responsible if anything happens to the traumatized girl during the recording of the statement, she said.
Meanwhile, lamenting the prolonged time taken in the case, she said the Court has failed to come to any conclusion and punish the culprits even after seven months of the incident. She said the people would like a speedy trial with regard to the case so that all those found guilty are punished according to the law. The people who have been demanding justice in the case have started to get apprehensive about the outcome of the case, Leima said.
Meanwhile, the mother of the girl further alleged that the family has been getting threats from certain individuals who identified themselves as cadres of the proscribed outfit RPF/PLA.
She alleged the individuals sent messages from mobile numbers 8014067117 and 8794759807 asking the family to come to Moreh and to end the case. She further continued that several individuals from the locality had also tried to intimidate the girl and her family by asking her to withdraw the case in exchange of money since a long time back.
The mother added that her daughter had passed her HSSLC examination which was declared some days back; however she keeps on avoiding her friends and relatives who come to congratulate her.