IMPHAL, September 18: A security personnel has allegedly sexually molested a seven year old girl.
The Assistant Commandant of 5th MR when approached for justice also threatened the parents of the victim to keep quiet about the incident.
The alleged attack on the minor was perpetrated by a rifleman of 5th Manipur Rifles identified as one L Iboyaima (38), son of (L) Mangi Khuman of Khurai Ningthoubung Leikai, Imphal East (Rifleman number 05006253).
The incident occurred on September 12 near the DC Bungalow, Tamenglong.
The child was travelling inside the MR Bus driven by Iboyaima who took advantage of the situation and forced the minor to touch him inappropriately . Afterwards, he offered Rs 10 to the girl and offered to buy her sweetmeats. When Iboyaima went down to buy the sweets, the girl fled from the bus to her aunt’s residence.
After learning about the incident, the girl’s parents went to report the matter to the concerned 5MR assistant commandant namely Angam Ningsiam.
But, instead of arresting his sepoy, Angam not only refused to entertain the complaint but threatened the parents to keep the matter quiet.
He allegedly mocked them by stating whether they had enough money to travel to Imphal to lodge a complaint. Angam was also alleged to have stated that there are no customary laws that can be initiated nor any fines can be paid by the perpetrator.
Finally, the matter was reported to the officer-in-charge of Tamenglong police station on September 13. The matter has been reported to the Deputy Chief Minister and DGP on September 16 in the form of a memorandum. The memorandum mentions to arrest the culprit among others. The matter was reported to the police by the girl`s mother.
Meanwhile, the MLA of Tamenglong, Janghemlung Panmei in a telephonic conversation with this IFP reporter promised that justice will be meted out to the concerned culprit and he will do his best to urge the concerned authorities for redressing the grievances of the family members over the incident. He said that such crimes against children cannot go unpunished.
