GUWAHATI: Militants in Manipur “punished” an alleged rapist by shooting him dead at Tera Pukhrambam Leirak in Imphal West district on Friday night. The man, Irom Bobo, was reportedly brought blindfolded in a car by three persons, who fled the scene immediately after the incident.
The 43-year-old Irom Bobo, who was shot twice in the head, succumbed to his injuries at a hospital. On hearing gunshots, locals came out of their home and found him lying in a pool of blood.
The banned insurgent group, United National Liberation Front (UNLF) has claimed responsibility for the death. In a statement the outfit said, “He confessed to his involvement in the incident and as such, was given exemplary punishment”.
The police said Irom Bobo was chargesheeted for allegedly raping the 11-year-old victim who was his niece.
“According to reports, the rape incident took place in 2013. He was an accused and a case against him was registered at that point in time. He was chargesheeted and the trial was on but I don’t know the outcome of the case,” Imphal West senior superintendent of police (SSP), Themthing Ngashanva, told the New Indian Express.
Reports suggested that Irom Bobo had spent some time in jail in 2013 and was, perhaps, out on bail. Themthing Ngashanva said the police were trying to ascertain the motive behind the murder.
“We are not saying he was shot dead in connection with the rape incident. We are examining various angles,” SSP Themthing Ngashanva said.
The militants in Manipur are known to “punish” wrongdoers, including the corrupt. There have been numerous incidents where they have punished senior government officials by shooting at their legs for their alleged involvement in corruption.
Themthing Ngashanva said an alleged pimp was shot dead in March, 2017 for which the UNLF had later claimed responsibility.