Imphal, December 05: Speaker Dr S Dhananjoy has termed the arrest of his driver from the Speaker�s office complex on December 3 by police in connection with the hijacking and torching of a car allotted to him by unidentified gunmen recently as violation of democratic norms.

He told reporters today that no one can be arrested inside the office premises without the permission of the Speaker.

Stating that he was not informed of the arrest beforehand, he said that the police action is clear violation of democratic norms and infringes on the privilege of the Assembly Institute.

Stating that proper action will be taken up against the personnel responsible for the action which steps on the privilege of the House, the Speaker said that he has completed procedures for tabling the matter before the next Assembly Privilege Committee.

The driver Thokchom Kumar who was present at the press conference recalled that he had given a statement at the Imphal West police station on the day of the hijacking of the car on November 21 last.

Later he was picked up by a team of Imphal West police led by IO of the case Rehman while he was inside the Speaker�s office premises at around 1.30 pm of December 3.Rejecting his pleas to inform the Speaker, he was taken to the Police HQ where third degree torture method was employed in his interrogation, Kumar alleged.

The driver charged that police forced him mention his statement that the car was hijacked from Ningomthongjao and not from PCTC Oil pump and the Speaker, his wife and the Speaker�s PSO were inside the vehicle when the hijacking took place.

Stating that he was released at 6.30 pm, Kumar said he took medical examination as he received injuries during interrogation.

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