In a shocking incident that has left the community of Wangkhem Nongmaileima in Imphal East deeply disturbed, locals are demanding swift police action against two brothers who allegedly assaulted a Meira Paibi leader, hurled abuses, and engaged in lewd behaviour.
The accused duo has been identified as Pukhrambam Hemanta and Pukhrambam Jiten, both residents of Wangkhem, Imphal East. According to the community members, Hemanta is involved in a liquor business, while Jiten is accused in a POCSO case dating back to 2020 and is currently out on bail.
The victim, Phijam Kamala, who is the vice-president of the Wangkhem Nongmaileima Women Development Association, bravely narrated the harrowing incident to the media at Manipur Press Club.
She revealed that on the night of July 29, around 8.30 pm, Hemanta arrived at the Meira Paibi station in their locality and began verbally abusing the local Meira Paibis and clubs who were vigilantly safeguarding their villages.
“When I attempted to reason with Hemanta, he not only subjected me to vile slurs but also indecently exposed himself, showing lewd and inappropriate gestures while clad in just a towel,” said the victim.
She maintained, Hemanta returned later, accompanied by his brother Jiten and other family members, and physically assaulted her, aggressively holding her arms.
Jiten further degraded the Meira Paibis, shamelessly stating that he could engage in sexual relations with any Meira Paibi for a mere Rs. 500, she alleged, adding Jiten even boasted about his past involvement in such acts.
Regrettably, the situation escalated, and Chingkham Somananda, the general secretary of Wangkhem Nongmaileima Youth Club, also fell victim to the duo's violence while attempting to intervene.
Somananda sustained a fracture in his right hand during the altercation, as per report.
Appalled by the heinous actions and disrespect towards women, Somananda urged the concerned authorities to take stringent legal action against the accused duo. An FIR has already been lodged with the Irilbung police station regarding the incident.
It is also reported that an irate mob expressed their outrage by vandalising a four-wheeler belonging to the accused brothers in the aftermath of the incident.
