Imphal, Sept. 30: Unrestrained by the established rule of law, one of Manipur?s major militant groups today summarily executed a volunteer after a kangaroo court pronounced him guilty of rape and murder.

The People?s Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak (Prepak) decreed instant justice ? capital punishment, in this case ? for 25-year-old Khwairakpam Henry, alias Herojit, on the basis of a rapid-fire trial conducted by a joint probe panel set up by the outfit and another militant group, the United National Liberation Front.

The police found Henry?s bullet-riddled body early this morning at Phoubakchao, on the border between Imphal West and Thoubal districts.

The slain youth had allegedly killed Salam Poonam, 21, after raping her early this month. Her body was found hanging from a tree near her house at Nongmaikhong, in Thoubal district, on September 17. The girl?s family was the first to point a finger at Henry, who was taking shelter in the neighbourhood at the time.

Henry?s vigilante trial began in the wake of protests in Thoubal district and other places. Women?s groups held rallies and sit-in demonstrations daily to mount pressure on Prepak to take action against him. Some likened the case to the death of Thangjam Manorama, who was also allegedly raped before being shot, in Assam Rifles? custody last year.

The execution of Henry is the second instance of a militant group meting out extreme punishment to a cadre for rape. The UNLF had executed one of its members for rape.

Prepak, however, clarified that Henry was only a volunteer and not an enlisted member. A spokesperson for the militant group said he ?broke down and confessed to the crime? during ?intense interrogation?.

Henry was pronounced guilty in front of members of Poonam?s family and a select media team somewhere in Churachandpur district late last night. Henry ostensibly did not know what was in store for him. After he was taken away, the Prepak spokesperson said he would be meted out ahakpa cheirak, (capital punishment in militant parlance).

Poonam?s family, including her younger brother Beten, his wife Bashanti and some relatives, listened in silence as the Prepak spokesperson announced the verdict. None of them uttered a word, perhaps not knowing how to react.

When the family left, the media was informed that Henry would be executed by morning. A Prepak leader said the reporters could witness the execution if they wished to do so. He said the execution would, however, be carried out at some other place because of security reasons.

Nobody from the media team stayed back, but Prepak informed them about the execution at 6 am today. The police confirmed shortly afterwards that Henry?s body had been found.

Henry, originally a resident of Moirang Leirak in Imphal West district, had allegedly had an affair with his victim. The girl was presumably unaware that he was already married and the father of two children.

On the day of the murder, she is supposed to have pressured Henry to marry her, to which he replied that he would readily do so that very night. At the appointed time, the Prepak volunteer took the girl to the local school and allegedly strangulated her. He then brought the body and left it hanging from the tree near her house after midnight.

The militant jury described it as a ?well-planned murder in cold blood?.

?On being asked why he killed the girl, Henry said he did not know what he was doing,? Prepak said.

?We argued on the school veranda after she refused to return home. I was angry and I strangulated her with a scarf she was wearing around the neck,? he was quoted as saying.