GUWAHATI: A special CBI court in Guwahati has framed charges against six men and ordered their trial over one of the most brutal crimes of Manipur’s ethnic violence, in which three women were stripped naked and paraded before a mob, two of them gang-raped in broad daylight, and two relatives of one them killed on May 4, 2023.It is the first case investigated by CBI in the Manipur violence to move to trial. The central agency has taken over 27 FIRs linked to the unrest – 19 involving crimes against women, three armoury loot cases, two murders, and one each of rioting, kidnapping and criminal conspiracy.Last Friday, special judge Chatra Bhukhan Gogoi ruled that all six accused “be tried by this court”. Appearing through video-conferencing from Manipur, the accused pleaded not guilty after charges were read out and explained.CBI prosecutor Swayamjeet Sharma told the court the investigation had yielded sufficient material and a strong prima facie case. Defence lawyers argued the evidence did not warrant charges for all offences listed in the chargesheet.The court ordered four accused – Huirem Herodash Meitei, Ningombam Tomba Singh alias Tomthin, Yumlembam Jiban Singh alias Naocha alias Sana and Pukhrihongbam Suranjoy Meitei – lodged at Manipur central jail in Sajiwa, to be shifted to Guwahati for physical production and for signing the charges on Jan 16. Two others – Arun Khundongbam alias Nanao and Nameirakpam Kiran Meitei – who are on bail, were directed to appear in person on the same date “without fail”.”Since the question of identification of the accused persons during the course of trial is involved, the physical production of the accused persons is necessary for convenience and fairness of trial,” the judge said.Charges include promoting enmity between Kuki and Meitei communities, molestation, sexual assault, gang rape, physical assault, criminal conspiracy, violations under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, and damage and looting of property.
