RIMS lab technician remanded till Oct 8

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Oct 4: Police foiled an attempt by irate people to storm Cheirap Court complex and Lamphel PS demanding befitting punishment for one Thokchom Suraj, a laboratory technician of RIMS who sexually assaulted a minor inside the EGC room of the hospital yesterday.
At around 11 am today, a large mob consisting of family members of the victim and the JAC formed in connection with the incident, carried out protests at Lamphel PS gate and Cheirap Court complex after on getting information that the accused Thokchom Suraj (36) s/o Kulla of Keishamthong Moirang-ningthou Leirak, would be produced before the Court of Special Judge, POCSO, Imphal West.
The mob protesting in front of Lamphel PS, tried to storm the station but police personnel deployed in large number at the gate foiled their attempt and brought the situation under control.
Later, the accused was taken to the Court complex on board a bullet proof vehicle. The angry mob gathered at the Court gate shouted slogans demanding capital punishment for the accused. To prevent any type of unwanted incidents inside the Court complex, the main entrance gate was closed by security personnel who prevented the mob from going any further inside the complex.
During the proceeding, Thokchom Suraj was produced along with a prayer for remanding him into police custody for further investigation of the case. The IO of the case submitted that a complaint was lodged by the parents of the victim stating that early morning yesterday, their daughter was sexually assaulted by the accused inside the EGC room of RIMS hospital after she was admitted for some tests due to fever and dysentery.
Based on the complaint, a regular case was registered for investigation and the accused was arrested, the IO mentioned adding that during preliminary interrogation, Suraj admitted to the crime.
As such, the IO prayed for five days police custody remand of the accused.
The Court, after going through the case record and the submission of the IO, remanded Suraj to five days in police custody, till October 8.
After the Court proceedings ended, angry womenfolk attacked the police vehicle on which the accused was taken away. On the other hand, during the period when the accused was being produced before the Court for the hearing, another group of JAC members took out a protest at RIMS, near the OPD, demanding appropriate action against the accused.
They also demanded all female staff who were on duty on the day of incident to be dismissed immediately for not doing their duty properly and leaving the minor victim alone without any supervision or care.
The JAC also demanded necessary action against those who are involved in recruiting the accused as a casual employee of the hospital without the knowledge of RIMS Director.
Till the time of filing this report, members of the JAC were waiting hold a talk with RIMS authority, after their (RIMS) Board meeting for constituting an enquiry committee concludes.