Manipur Gang-Rape Victim Dies After Two-Year Struggle
A 20-year-old Kuki woman from Manipur has died from injuries sustained during a horrific gang-rape two years ago. The victim passed away on January 10 while receiving treatment at a hospital in Guwahati. Her death marks a tragic end to a prolonged battle for justice and recovery.
Details of the 2023 Assault
The young woman was abducted on May 15, 2023, in Imphal. She had stepped out to withdraw money from an ATM when four men kidnapped her. They questioned her ethnic background before handing her over to a larger group of armed assailants.
Her ordeal involved being taken to multiple locations across Imphal, including Wangkhei Ayangpali and Langol. There, she suffered brutal sexual violence and severe physical assault. The attackers left her for dead in Bishnupur, believing she had perished.
An autorickshaw driver discovered the victim and rushed her to a local clinic. Due to the critical nature of her injuries, medical authorities later transferred her to Guwahati for specialized care.
Legal Proceedings and Lack of Justice
The victim filed a formal complaint in July 2023. Police registered an FIR under multiple sections of the Indian Penal Code (Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita), including Sections 354, 307, 364, 376, and 506. The case also invoked provisions of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.
Despite these legal measures, no arrests have been made in the two years since the attack. The victim's family reported that she never recovered from the psychological trauma of the assault. The profound shock severely affected both her mental and physical health until her final moments.
In response to her death, the Indigenous Tribal Leaders Forum (ITLF) announced a candlelight memorial service to honor her memory.
Separate Case: Kerala Teen Raped and Murdered
In an unrelated incident, police in Kerala's Malappuram district discovered the body of a 16-year-old girl near a railway line at Thodiyapalam. Authorities confirmed she was sexually assaulted and murdered.
Investigation Underway
Malappuram District Police Chief Viswanadh R stated the minor went missing from the Karuvarakundu area on Thursday. Her body was found on Friday. Police have taken the victim's boyfriend into custody regarding the case.
Since the detained individual is a minor in conflict with the law, he appeared before a Juvenile Justice Board magistrate. Officials subsequently transferred him to a reformatory facility.
Possible Motive
Initial investigations suggest complications in the romantic relationship may have led to the killing. The police chief noted the detained youth mentioned another alleged relationship involving the girl, which investigators will verify.
Evidence collected so far indicates the rape and murder occurred in the same secluded woodland area near the railway tracks where authorities found the body. Viswanadh emphasized the need for a deeper probe into the motive, acknowledging certain limitations due to the suspect's minor status.
These two cases highlight ongoing concerns about violence against women in different regions of India, with both victims belonging to vulnerable communities.
