Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, January 11:
General secretary of MPP Abujamcha Shidam who was arrested by the police on January 6 on alleged charge of being involved in the Pourabi bomb blast and further remanded to police custody for five days was granted bail by the Court on medical ground today.
Meanwhile, condemning the alleged police torture on Shidam while in the custody, MPP has decided to exert pressure on the State Government and other related authorities for submitting the final report in connection with the arrest of Shidam.
Talking to mediapersons on the sideline of a reception function hosted in honour of Shidam after his release at the MPP office here this afternoon, newly elected party president Dr L Chandramani decried the police action of arresting Shidam and subjecting him to alleged severe torture while in the custody of the cops.
He said that Shidam had gone to the police station on learning that some police personnel had come to his house looking for him.
Yet the police forced him to sign on the arrest memo claiming that he was arrested from Ayangpalli Road and remanded him to police custody where he was subjected to severe torture.
Had there been no Armed Forces Special Powers Act which gives unrestrained power to the security personnel, Shidam may not have been able to arrest by the police, Dr Chandramani said.
Expressing serious concern over suffering caused to the people as a result of the armed conflict situation prevailing in Manipur, Dr Chandramani said MPP would work toward bringing about a political solution to end the conflict under its conflict management mission.
Party MLA RK Anand said arrest of Shidam in connection with the Pourabi bomb blast was unreasonable and it smacked of a
hidden agenda.
So MPP would demand the Government and other related authorities for furnishing the final report of the arrest at the earliest possible, he informed.
Shidam, who was also present at the occasion, said that he was released on bail by the court at 3 pm on medical ground.
While in the police custody, various allegations have been levelled against him and subjected to third degree torture, Shidam said, while informing that he found difficulties in moving his body parts as the result of the police atrocities.