MHRC seeks report on rape case progress

IMPHAL, February 22: The Manipur Human Rights Commission has sought a detailed report from the DGP, Manipur police over the reported conduct of the IG (law and order), in connection with the rape of a minor girl by her uncle, a case pertaining to which is currently before the commission. According to commission sources, the IG is reported to have summoned the mother of the victim, T Pishakmacha, to his Office yesterday and told her to inform the commission that nothing had happened to her daughter so that the case could be closed. He is also said to have questioned the jurisdiction of the commission in the matter and scolded her for wasting the time of the police. Pishakmacha Devi has reportedly submitted a written report of the IGP's conduct to the commission yesterday. The commission, which heard the matter today observed that t@ police had been showing relu tance all along to register and investigate the case. The commission took up the case on September 13 last year ' based on a newspaper item. A case against the accused, T Jibon Singh, was however registered by the Heingang police station only last month. Under instructions form the commission; the investigation was transferred to the Imphal west district police station and a lady officer appointed as investigating officer. The DIG (Range-1) was also asked by the DGP to monitor the progress of the case. According to commission sources, the DGP was to have submitted a fortnightly report by yesterday, but this has not been done. T Jibon Singh, who is said to be close to some political bigwigs, has not been arrested so far. In a separate case (complaint case 192 of 1999), concerning the destruction of a dwelling house at Thoubal Nongangkhong by a mob including two public servants, the commission had also earlier rejected the plea of Khaidem Mani, advocate about the non-maintainability of proceedings against public servants. Advocate Khaidem Mani had appeared on behalf of the two public servants involved.