DNA test offer for Manipur troops

Manorama's bullet-riddled body was found by a roadside

The Indian army has offered to conduct DNA tests on four soldiers sought over the brutal killing of a woman in the north-eastern state of Manipur.

A spokesman said the move came after forensic tests confirmed traces of human semen on the clothes of the victim whose family say was also raped.

Thangjam Manorama's murder has led to a wave of protests across the state.

She was picked up by troops of the paramilitary Assam Rifles on 10 July. Her body was recovered the next day.

'Repeated summons'

The offer to conduct the tests came a day after a judge investigating the death issued warrants for the arrest of the four soldiers after they failed to appear before his inquiry commission, despite repeated summons.

The army, under whose command the Assam Rifles operate, says it is committed to getting to the bottom of the matter.

A spokesman promised the army would punish the soldiers if they were found guilty.

And he rejected suggestions the army was not co-operating with the inquiry.

Legal experts say the arrest warrants and the forensic report from a central laboratory in Calcutta has put pressure on the army to act.

The BBC's Subir Bhaumik in the Manipur capital, Imphal, says locals are demanding punishment for Manorama's killers and the withdrawal of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act in the state.

There have been weeks of angry protests across the state

The act gives security forces sweeping powers they say they need to tackle separatists.

Manorama's family say soldiers took her from her home.

A few hours later her mutilated and bullet-riddled body was found by a roadside.

The Assam Rifles say she was suspected of aiding separatists but have denied any being to blame for her death.