Court of inquiry ordered into rape allegation

IMPHAL, July 24: A court of inquiry has been ordered by the CRPF authorities to investigate into the allegation of rape of a woman by two CRPF personnel at Lamdan village on July 19 last according to an official source. The source said the Director General of Police, Manipur has already been requested by the CRPF authorities to arrange to get DNA test conducted of the blood and semen of the victim, her husband and the alleged rapists. The sources further said the police authorities have also been requested by the CRPF to visit the latter's headquarters at Loktak to carry out necessary investigation. However, it said the CRPF has failed to hand over the alleged rapists to the Bishnupur police till now. In the meantime, another source also said that Bishnupur police has started conducting the necessary investigation after conducting medical examination of the victim. On the other hand, official sources said of the CRPF has also said it had, in the past incidents taken stern and appropriate disciplinary actions on its personnel involved in any crime which are against the interest of the people. Referring to the sodomy case of June 5 last, it said the personnel involved were immediately suspended and subsequently imprisoned and dismissed from the service after judicial trial. It also promised that suitable action will be taken up on those personnel as per report of the court of inquiry, the source said. Meanwhile, all Naga Students' Association, Manipur, Zeliangrong Union, Zeliangrong Women Society has condemned the rape incident and questioned the intention of CRPF jawans even though the ambush had occurred 33 hours ago. The Union had appealed to the DGP, Manipur to dispense justice and to brook any complacency in this matter from any subordinate officials including the IGP, CRPF to prevent any re-occurrence of such unwanted incidents in future. The Union also appealed to the general public to extend full-cooperation to make the statewide general strike on July 26 next a grand success.