IMPHAL, June 12: Perpetrators of violence against women whether it be rape or molestation must be severely punished under the due process of law. This was stated by Social Welfare minister AK Mirabai while inaugurating the newly constructed building of the Anouba Lower Primary School at Sadokpham Leikai in Patsoi.
Mirabai said that the Chowkidar of Takyel Blind School Hem Bahadur Thapa alias Khan who allegedly raped a visually impaired girl on April 13 has been arrested and now is under police custody for further investigation, adding, “The accused will be awarded a befitting punishment matching the crime committed.”
She further stated that it was only because of the media that the incident came to light.
“The accused was suspended from the school after the school levelled molestation charges against him. Recently, the news appeared in the local dailies that the culprit has been arrested by a team from the Lamphal Police station.”
Stating that a rape action committee consisting of four persons has been formed regarding the incident and investigations are going on, she said if anybody is found involved in the incident he or she will be rewarded befitting punishment.
Veering her speech to the developmental programmes in Patsoi, she said illiterate people can’t succeed in any field or work, so people need to be literate as well as true spirited to realise their ambitions.
She said as an elected representative from Patsoi she found many gaping holes in the development programmes in the constituency.
The last two and half years are not enough to fill those holes in the constituency. An MLA is just a guide to show people the way for their own welfare and they are solely responsible for the tasks they have done, she added.
The Social Welfare minister said that after she had come to power five primary schools has been upgraded to the High School level and the only college in the area i.e. Oriental Collage has been transformed into an autonomous college.
From last many years, not a single developmental work was done by the previous MLAs, she added.
“Even the Anouba LP School which was established in 1962 was not developed till today. It was only when the people of the area informed me that the school was in a pitiable condition that I sanctioned an amount of Rupees eight lakhs from my local area development fund for the reconstruction of the school building,” Mirabai said.
Further appealing the people to help her in the developmental works in the constituency, she said that with their help she will be able to continue many development projects in next coming years.
In the inaugural function of the Anouba Lower Primary School, Sadokpam Ibochouba, G Anita, Joint Director Education (S), RK Gunisana, Pradhan, Lamjaotomba Gram Panchayat, Kh Gunamani, Chairman, School Management Committee and Lakhikanta ,ADC Tamenglong were also present.