Protests against assaults ; Suspected cops assault man
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, April 02 2012:
Denouncing the alleged thrashing of one Konthoujam Joy (47) by some persons suspected to be police commandos, a sit-in demonstration was staged by the locals at Sagolmang Wakhong today.
a farmer by profession and a member of a local musical group (Band party), K Joy of Sagolmang Wakhong was reportedly assaulted at his own home by the armed persons clad in Khaki attires on March 28 midnight.
Besides condemning the assault, the protestors also demanded appropriate punitive action against those involved in the assault within three days failing which more intense agitation would be launched against the Government.
People of adjacent localities also participated at the protest, which was jointly organised by All Pukhao People's Development Association and Mahila Mandal Sagolband Wakhong.
Recounting the nightmarish experience, K Joy said the armed persons thoroughly searched his bed-room but could not find any incriminating items.
On being questioned why the intruders are asking him (Joy) to accompany them outside his residential compound after the failed search, the commando suspects started physical assault, he maintained.
Regretting the perpetrators' ignorance that his defiance to comply with their unwarranted insistence was merely posing whether they (intruders) possess arrest memo, Joy also informed that he is mostly confined in agricultural activities and lending a helping hand to his 23-year old nephew K Michael, who is physically disabled since 2007 due to an incident of bomb blast at Pourabi area.
It is also informed that Michael's fervent plea that his uncle is innocent went unheeded with the commando suspects telling the nephew that Joy's whereabouts may be enquired at Sekmai police station.
Contending that all the perpetrators were in inebriated condition on that night, Joy also claimed of threat by the commando suspects that resisting arrest might lead to his death in a 'staged encounter' .
He further informed that Lamlai SDPO and OC arrived at his place on March 31 to investigate the matter and recording his statement.