Newspaper hawker assaulted, robbed by suspected Commandos
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, July 27 2012:
A newspaper distributor who was on his way back home after distributing newspapers at Thoubal and Wangjing area was reportedly assaulted and robbed of his money, mobile phones and Honda Activa by some people suspected to be Police Commandos at Kyamgei Pal Ahanbi area at around 8 pm yesterday.
The victim, Ningthoujam Bira (34) of Heirok Maning Leikai but presently staying at Keishamthong Maning Longjam Leirak was returning home from Thoubal after distributing newspapers when the assailants who came in a Maruti Gypsy and a Maruti 800 car stopped him at Kyamgei area and started checking his body.
During the checking, the assailants took away his mobile phone and Rs 16000 in cash before being beaten up on alleged charge of being a UG cadre.
Bira denied the charges and showed his identity card issued by All Manipur Newspaper Sellers and Distributors' Association (AMNSDA), but regardless of that the assailants continued to press him to admit that he a UG cadre.
From there, Bira was blindfolded and taken to many places only to be abandoned at Lilong Arapati area at around 3.30 am.
The assailants took his mobile phone, ID Card, Honda Activa bearing registration number MN01Z/3924 and Rs 16,000 cash and left him there.
Bira sustained injuries on his left eye and was treated at RIMS hospital.
Meanwhile, AMNSDA, in a press release, has decried the assault and robbing of the newspaper distributor by suspected Commandos who are supposed to protect the civilians.
The act of the assailants has once again created a sense of distrust against the Police Commandos, it stated.
Demanding the Chief Minister and the Home Minister to find out the culprits by questioning all the police personnel on duty at the area on the day of the incident and punished them accordingly by July 30, the AMNSDA has also threatened to launch intense agitation from the next day till their demand is met.