The dead body of a young woman was found at Heirok under Thoubal District today morning. According to sources close to Imphal Times, the murder is suspected to have been committed after the victim was raped. Enraged locals burnt down the homes of three persons suspected to be involved in the crime and a bandh has been imposed along the Heirok Wangjing road. The victim of the gruesome murder and suspected rape has been identified as Ningthoujam Rebika Devi (25), daughter of (Late) L.Ingo of Heirok Part-III Tomal Makhong. The third of four siblings of two sisters and two brothers, the deceased bore marks suggesting dead by strangulation and deep lacerations on the cheek, as reported by police. Locals going to the field for work came across the dead body early today morning in a dried up canal at Amurou Macha Loukol situated about 2 kms north of Heirok Police station. Locals immediately proceeded to burn down the house of three suspects including the alleged lover of the deceased who happened to be married. According to family members, the deceased, along with two of her cousin went out to attend the Watermelon Festival at Heirok Litan Makhong at around 7.30 yesterday evening, and while returning, received a call from her alleged lover at around 9.30 evening. After her relatives persuaded her to return straight to her house they bade farewell for the night. The incident was narrated by the relatives when the mother of the deceased enquired about her later that night, saying that she have not returned. Assuming that she had eloped with her lover, they decided to wait out till the next morning. When news of the dead body of a women lying in the canal reached the anxious family, they decided to have a look and found it to be that of Rebika. A huge mob set fire to the houses of the three alleged killers identified as Tekcham Yaima Singh (24) S/o T.Shyam Singh, Ningthoujam Bishe Singh and Kokngang. All three are residents of Wangjing Tekcham Leikai under Thoubal District with Yaima being the alleged lover of the deceased..
