IRB women personnel demand CO's removal
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, September 22 2015:
Women personnel of 9th IRB Mahilla Battalion blocked entry to Khuman Lampak Sports Complex for police vehicles from both the North and South gates in a show of discontentment over the alleged ruthless treatment meted out to them by their Commanding Officer (CO) Mamta Wahengbam over the last many months.
A large number of IRB women personnel who staged the protest today demanded transfer of their CO by September 25 .
They accused their CO of assigning them extra heavy duties which are beyond their normal duty.
A personnel on anonymity stated that their career are put at stake by the CO's alleged aristocratic attitude.
The personnel have been sometimes registered absent for duty when they were not.
They alleged that their Commanding Office (CO) gives them 'Extra Ordinary Leave' which could harm their career.
Till today welfare facility for women personnel which a battalion is supposed to provide is just a distant dream, she added.
Further, the women IRB personnel alleged that their CO tortured them physically and mentally.
Recently, one of their fellow personnel attempted to commit suicide, unable to bear the mental torture inflicted by their Commanding Office (CO), they added.
They also demanded that IRB personnel should remain as IRB but not as women police constables as it will affect their service records.
Later, a team of police personnel led by Additional SP Imphal West S Ibomcha and SDPO Imphal Police Station arrived at the scene and took stock of the situation.
There, the women IRB personnel strongly reacted against their visit and asked them to turn back.
The women personnel drew the attention of the Home Minister of the State to look into the hardships they have been facing for the last many months.
They also asked the authorities concerned to arrange a meeting with the Home Minister at the earliest.
Further they resolved not to give any cooperation to their CO unless she is replaced.
It may be mentioned that the 9th IRB Mahilla Battalion is attached to the 2nd IRB Battalion housed at Khuman Lampak which has a strength of more than 500 women personnel.