IMPHAL, May 19: In what appears to be a case of rape and murder, a 20 year old woman divorcee was found dead this morning at Uchiwa Lamhang under Mayang Imphal Police station.
The victim has been identified as one Wahengbam Ichal Devi, 20, daughter of late W Birkumar Singh of Sekmaijin Khunou Mayai Leikai.
The victim was found with a rope tied to her neck suggesting the death due to strangulation and tell tale signs of gang rape. However, there are no official reports proving the theory till the time of filing this report.
Reports said that the victim’s body was come across by morning joggers around 6.30 today, who later passed on the information to the police.
The joggers reportedly stumbled upon a long rope lying in the middle of the Mayai Lambi road. Being curious on finding the rope, the joggers pulled the rope which later led to the body of the victim floating in a pond nearby, the reports further add.
On receiving the news, a team of Mayang Imphal police team retrieved the body with the help of forensic expert team and executive magistrate and deposited the body at RIMS mortuary.
In the meantime, according to local sources, the victim was married twice and currently staying with her aunt who hails from the same locality.
The sources further informed that she was in a relationship with a man from the locality for three months now.
It is learnt that she left home yesterday afternoon around 3.30pm well dressed.
On failing to return till late in the night, the family assumed that she must have eloped with her current lover.
While Police registered a case with regards to the death, investigation has started in full swing to book the perpetrators of the crime.
A joint action committee (JAC) was formed in connection to the death, today convened a public meeting at the locality later in the evening at the Rural Youth Development Orgainsation (RYDO) office.
The meeting unanimously adopted five point resolutions including the formation of JAC against the brutal killing of Wahengbam Ichal Devi of Sekmaijin followed by appointment of JAC members and convenor, Thingujam Badudhon Singh.
In its fourth resolution the meet demanded to bring to book the culprit involved in the crime within 48 hours failing which it threatened to impose an indefinite bandh of Mayai Lambi from 6pm of May 21.
The fifth resolution said that the JAC will mount pressure on the Chief Ministers and authorities concerned to materialise the demand. At the same time, appealed CSO, other local bodies to extend their support.
