IMPHAL, March 4 NNN: A minor skirmish occurred today in the complex of Sessions Judge, Manipur West district during production of rape accused Latjanthai Malangmei in the court.
Malangmei and his colleague Kamei Dibonpou, both cadres of Zeliangrong United Front (ZUF) reportedly deserted the underground organisation on October 5, 2012 and later allegedly raped four minor girls on that day at Tousengjang village in Tamenglong district. However, Kamei committed suicide the same day after the rape.The rape victims are aged 14 – 16.
On Monday, a large crowd, including the families of the victims hurried to the court complex following the news of his appearance in the court received.There, the irate people anxiously waited for him and as soon as Malangmei arrived in the court complex with tight security arrangement, they spat on his face and hit him with sticks.
The police, however, managed to control the crowd and then the accused was presented before the court. But, the police faced difficulties while taking him out of the court room after the hearing as the crowd again attacked the accused with stones.
The Rongmei Lu Phuam (RLP) and Naga Women’s Union (NWU) on Monday submitted copies of a joint memorandum to both Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam and Imphal West sessions Court Judge demanding deliverance of prompt justice in the rape case.
Meanwhile, another two rape accused of a separate incident—Yumnam William and Thongam Tarun were also produced before the Sessions Judge, Manipur East on Monday. The accused pleaded not guilty.
The contents of the charges read over and explained to the accused and asked them whether they should plead to the said charges or claim to be tried. The duo pleaded not guilty and claimed to be tried. Earlier in the hearing, the Judge directed that they should be tried by this court on the said charges.
William and Tarun are co- accused in the rape case of a standard XII student of TG Higher Secondary School, Imphal.The duo allegedly sexually assaulted a girl in a restaurant at Tiddim road near Imphal Airport on October 20, 2012. The main accused, William aged 28, son of late Y Devan, a resident of Khagempalli Pankha Leikai, Imphal West, is a personnel of Imphal West district police and the other co-accused Thongam Tarun aged 27, son of Th Jayenta of Thangmeiband Sinam Leikai in the district is an actor.
Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/rape-accused-produced-before-court-2/
