By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: Four organisations on Tuesday backed accused Small Phawa who allegedly raped a fourteen year old girl in Jowai last year.
While the police is still continuing its investigation, the four groups claimed that they have completed their investigation into the rape case.
The four organisations Civil Society Women’s Organization (CSWO) led by Irene Hujon, Hynniewtrep National People’s Federation (HNPF), Mynso Women Welfare Organization (MWWO) and Khasi Jaintia Labour Union (KJLU) on Tuesday defended the alleged rape accused and even produced Phawa before media to justify his claims.As per the claims of Phawa, he never raped the 14 year old girl but the act was done “consensually”.
They also produced audio clippings of telephonic conversations between the victim and the accused. ”We have done our investigations and found out that the victim had entered into a relationship with Phawa,” the organizations told journalists here.
The NGOs however maintained that Phawa should be punished if he is found to be guilty during the investigation of police. Small Phawa while talking to journalists here at the Shillong Press Club also asserted that the school girl had entered into a relationship with him.When asked the reason for supporting an alleged rape accused, HNPF president L Laloo said, ”We have supported him by the truth.”
It may be mentioned that Phawa was granted bail last month for his alleged involvement into the case
The four organizations also produced a “witness” Rani Gassar who claimed that on that day both Phawa and the victim were seen sitting inside a car and bought juices and potato chips for Rs 300 and then proceeded to Myntdu.