MLA Keba guns for Patsoi OC
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, June 08 2011:
Taking strong exception against the action of the police in stopping the repairing work on the road that connects Langjing Achouba, Chabungkhok, Chaganglei, NH-150 and NH-53 and then Imphal-Kangchup road, MLA from Patsoi Assembly Constituency, S Keba has demanded that the OC of Patsoi police station, Premchand be placed
under suspension.
Speaking to newsmen at Langjing Achouba road, where he is in the midst of repairing the road, MLA S Kunjeswar (Keba), said he took up the repairing work at the insistence of the public, as its condition had deteriorated sharply, especially with the onset of Monsoon.
The MLA said a DPR has been submitted to Ministry of Road Transport & Highways under its Economic Importance Scheme for a sum of Rs 2134.92 lakhs.
The Ministry is presently considering the release of the sanction order, said Keba and added that the road falls under Patsoi AC.
The road is to be upgraded to a double lane and work was taken up pending the sanction order, due to persistent public appeal, who have to travel by the road, said the MLA.
While the work was in progress a police team led by the OC of Patsoi police station descended on the spot and without furnishing any reason confiscated a truck loaded with chips.
Workers were also detained, said the MLA.
The MLA said that as soon as he heard the news, he rushed to the spot where he came across the OC.
The police officer, then started quizzing him on whether an MLA can do contract work and whether the work order has been issued or not, said Keba and added that the OC also tried to pull his gun out of the holster.
Asserting that the OC showed scant respect towards a people's representative by trying to unholster his gun, Keba said there is nothing wrong in the police stopping the work, but the very act of publicly trying to intimidate a people's representative is unacceptable.
The OC should be suspended immediately as he has also tarnished the image of the police organisation, said Keba and warned that if the police officer is not penalised, the matter would be brought to the notice of higher authority.