Joint Interrogation Cell to be shifted from Kangla Fort
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, October 23 2014: Even after a decade of shifting of Assam Rifles from the sacred Kangla following hue and cry from the public and civil society organizations, the Joint Interrogation Centre (JIC) under the state Home Department is still occupying the premises of the Fort in violation of guidelines of Kangla Fort Board.

In an unprecedented move, the Kangla Fort Board has urged the State Home Department to shift the Joint Interrogation Centre (JIC) from the Kangla Fort.

Accordingly, the state Home department has reportedly taken steps to find ways for reallocating the JIC.

According to official sources, interrogations of persons arrested on various charges are being done at the JIC at the complex of 1st IRB located inside the Kangla Fort, which is supposed to be a nice tourist attraction and also a sanctified area concerning the history and myth of Manipur.

In the various interrogations, police personnel from Manipur Police, IRB, Army, Assam Rifles, SIB VDR take part as their duties.

The state government has been reluctant to make infrastructural improvements of the JIC, as housing such a Centre violates the guidelines of Kangla Fort Board.

Erection of any office either of the government or of private sector is not allowed inside the Kangla Fort, as per guidelines.

Hence, the Kangla Fort Board had earlier demanded removal of the Centre from Kangla on more than two occasions.

According to Home department sources, a committee constituted for the purpose started examining the shifting of the JIC from Kangla, as soon as it received intimation from the Board.

Now, the committee has decided to place the JIC inside the 2nd Manipur Rifles complex so as to ensure security of the Interrogation Centre.

However, the shifting will be done after infrastructural development at 2nd MR complex is complete.

A notification to this effect has already been issued by the ADGP (Intelligence), the source added.

The new premise will have separate interrogation rooms, sufficient armed security guards, a temporary lock-up cell, proper toilets and area for liaison among various security forces.

The police headquarters has also approved sanction of Rs.3.07 crore for infrastructural development of the JIC, which includes Rs.1.63 crore for ground floor development, Rs.69.48 lakhs for first floor construction, and Rs.75.49 lakhs for second floor.

The said funds will be utilized from the Police headquarters account number 7 MH 4059-capital outlet, added the source.

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