KSO condemns manhandling of theologian by Sekmai police
Source: Chronicle News Service

Kangpokpi, June 15 2021: Kuki Students' Organization (KSO), Sadar Hills, while condemning the alleged manhandling of a theologian by Sekmai police, has demanded that law must prevail equally among all people.

Thangtinlen Haokip, general secretary KSO Sadar Hills, said that Jangkholun Haokip, a theologian at Manipur Theological College, was physically assaulted and verbally abused by Sekmai Police Station officer-in-charge and an ASI at Kanglatongbi while the theologian was on his way to Imphal for an emergency work around 3 pm on June 12 .

Narrating the incident, the KSO (SH) general secretary said that the police on duty enforcing curfew detained the theologian and asked him to pay Rs 400 as fine but the theologian was reluctant to pay as there were many other vehicles and people freely moving on the road.

The OC Sekmai PS allegedly asked the theologian to speak in Manipuri to which the theologian responded that he was more comfortable speaking in English.

It was when he asked the police why other vehicles and people were not being stopped for violating the curfew that an ASI manhandled him in complete disregard of his right to freedom of expression.

The police even threatened the theologian to take him away in an ambulance.

He was also not allowed to talk on the phone and communicate with his friend who was with him at the time, the student body leader said.

The theologian decided to stay and go with the police but they forced him to leave telling him that it was 'last warning' .

Incident of police high-handedness during curfew has happened quite often these days.

Misusing their authority to intimidate the common people is unexpected on the part of the law enforcing agencies, he added.

The KSO (SH) secretary then asked if curfew was enforced why singled out a particular person and not all.

It is evident that while some police officers and personnel are working honestly and dedicatedly, some are misusing their authority and the audacity of such dishonest policemen would give a very bad image to the police fraternity, he added.

"While we appreciate the noble sacrifice and efforts of honest and sincere police officers and personnel, we also condemn the high-handedness and undisciplined behaviours of such dishonest cops," he said.

The student body urged the authority concerned to take appropriate action against such undisciplined cops and ensure such incident do not happen in the future, while stating that the theologian had already filed a complaint and it will support him to get justice.

Meanwhile, the theologian reportedly submitted a report to the authority concerned and appealed to the people not to remain mute spectators to any form of violation of human rights perpetrated by the police.

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