Rapist shot dead

Pothashang News Service

Imphal, January 4, 2018: A rape accused was shot dead by unknown armed persons while he was driving his vehicle at Zoo road, Iroisemba towards Lamdeng in Imphal West district.

The deceased was identified as Loukrakpam Sananingthem Singh, 35 son of L. Inaobi, resident of Lamshang Mayai Leikai. He has been accused of raping the wife of a Chowkidar of a private school located at Lamdeng Khunou in Imphal West district.

He is a Bamboo businessman. The incident took place this morning while returning back to his home after delivering bamboo.

United National Liberation Front (UNLF) had claimed responsible for the murder this evening.

All together eight bullets injuries were found on his front side of his chest, legs and arms. Later the body was taken to RIMS morgue for post mortem and police has registered a case regarding the incident.

According to statement of the investigating officer, Ningthem raped the woman by tying her hands and gagging her at the quarter of the chowkidar taking advantage of the husband’s absence as he went out to attend a marriage ceremony.

Police recovered six empty bullet cases at the spot where Sananingthem was found shot dead. The reason for the killing and who were responsible for it was uncertain.

He was arrested on the next day he committed the crime. He raped the woman on April 26 and produced at the court on the next day. After serving some months in judicial custody his bail prayer was granted by the court.

People of Lamdeng area, Imphal West and civil society organisations had been urging the authority not to release him on bail and issued a stern warning that anybody providing shelter to the accused would get punishment.

There were two cases of punishing rapists by the United National Liberation Front (UNLF) as it had claimed.

On July 8 last year another alleged rapist Irom Bobo, 43, was shot dead at Pukhrambam Leirak in Imphal West. He was punished for raping his then 12-year-old niece by UNLF.

Bobo had raped the daughter of his wife’s younger sister at his home at Thaoroijam in Imphal West district on July 1, 2013, when no one was at home.

An accused in a minor rape case was also shot on August 8 last year by three unknown armed persons on his way back to his house after appearing before the special court of POCSO.

The rapist was Sandam Bhogen, 42 resident of Sairem Khul, Imphal West. He was shot at Tera Khamnam Leirak along Sagolband road. Three rounds were fired at him by the three unknown persons in that area while he was riding a scooter towards his home from Cheirap court, Imphal.

The United National Liberation Front (UNLF) had claimed responsible for both the early two cases.

UNLF had earlier warned that the outfit will give extreme punishment to those who commit such crimes against women and children.