Minister Y Erabot claims nabbing trouble makers
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, October 04 2011: Two persons who allegedly intimidated workers of Commerce and Industries Minister Yumkham Erabot at gun point have been reportedly rounded up along with one i-10 car and handed over to the police by the Minister and his workers.

However, a Jamadar in 4th IRB attached to Kakching Police Station, who was also involved in the incident, managed to escape under cover of darkness.

The two persons who were rounded up and later handed over to the police have been identified as Y Chandrakumar of Wangkhei Yonglan Leirak but presently staying at Khurai Ahonggei and Lapin Namoijam of Wangkhei Keithel Ashangbi while the escaped Jamadar is named as Bobby Sharma of Thambalkhong.

The registration number of the i-10 car seized from them is said to be MN01X-1749 .

It is said that there were 46 bottles of Indian Made Foreign liquor inside the car.

Two persons overpowered from near the Minister's residence paraded before the media along with the seized IMFL bottles

Talking to mediapersons in connection with the incident at his residence today, Minister Erabot said that the i-10 car in question was seen not only moving on the roads around his house for the last few days but the occupants were also targeting his workers.

So, his workers were on alert when the same car was found parked along Ayangpalli Road just in front of his residence at around 10.40 pm yesterday.

When some of his workers walked up to the car and asked the occupants whether they need any help, Jamadar Bobby whisked out his gun and pointed at the workers saying that they were Thoubal police commandos working for Henry and could kill all of them.

This led to an argument.

Hearing about the incident, Rifleman Lalngam of 7 MR, who was on sentry duty at his residence went out to pacify the two parties.

At that time, a police team led by OC Gitchandra of Porompat police station rushed in and beat all of them with a stick without asking anything, Minister Erabot alleged.

The Minister said that when the matter was reported to him, he went out and rounded up Y Chandrakumar and Lapin along with the car.

Both of them were kept in his house the whole night and handed them over after calling the police this afternoon.

Although Jamadar Bobby managed to escape in the midst of the commotion under cover of darkness, it is suspected that police may have whisked him away taking advantage of the situation, Minister Erabot said.

The Minister went on to express suspicion that the i-10 car was being parked there to commit some crimes.

Otherwise, why would the workers who walked up to inquire be threatened and Jamadar Bobby be in civil dress ?, Minister Erabot questioned.

He also demanded to know why OC Porompat laid his hand on a Rifleman on sentry duty in uniform without asking anything.

It is because of such lack of discipline and high-handedness on the part of security personnel that has cost the public trust, Minister Erabot asserted, adding that this is a sign that the Home Department has failed.