Police station stormed to denounce arrest
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, December 09 2024:
A large crowd thronged the Imphal West Women police station in protest against the arrest of Imagi Meira convenor Thokchom Sujata and member Ngangom Mamta from Bir Tikendrajit International Airport.
After learning that Sujata and Mamta, who were leaving Imphal to participate in the Nupi Lal observance in Delhi, were arrested by police from the airport around 2 pm Monday and detained at the Women PS, people in large number mobbed the PS .
Amongst the crowd were also womenfolk from the red zone, who had been affected the conflict.
The protestors chanted slogans like "Don't frame Sujata", "Release Sujata immediately", and "What is Sujata's crime?" in front of the PS .
At about 7 pm, police released Ngangom Mamta but detained Sujata.
As the crowd continue to swell and protest, Sujata was finally released around 9 pm .
Speaking to the media, one of the protestors questioned why no arrest memo has been issued before pulling up the two women activists, en-route to Delhi.
She continued that Sujata along with her members has been demanding restoration of peace in the state and as such, arresting her on false charges is highly condemnable.
She further condemned the registration of FIR on false propaganda, while also denouncing the act of arresting those calling for ending the conflict.
Laishram Kamalbabu's JAC spokesperson Moirangthem Ibopishak, who also participated in the protest before the PS, condemned the incident.
He recounted how Kamalbabu's wife and daughter had come from Lamsang to seek an appointment with the Governor and submit a memorandum to the CM and Rajya Sabha MP Bimol Akoijam earlier in the day.
The JAC contacted Sujata who offered to accompany them in seeking the appointment and submitting the memorandum.
Ibopishak continued that they found police enforcing blockades on various roads.
As such, they stopped the vehicle in BT Park area and both Kamalbabu's wife and daughter along with some JAC members marched up to the Raj Bhavan to seek an appointment with the Governor.
However, teams of City police station picked them up from Kanglapat road and took them away.
He condemned such acts of the police, including attempts to portray people in bad light with false propaganda.
A team of City police also briefly detained some members of the JAC formed in connection with the disappearance of Kamalbabu from the campus of 57th Mountain Division in Leimakhong.
On Monday, security measures were being taken and the road leading to the Raj Bhavan blocked in view of reports that protest would be launched in Raj Bhavan area.
Amid this, Kamalbabu's wife Bela Rani and daughter along with some members of the JAC arrived at the location to seek an appointment with the Governor.
However, they were picked up by a team of City police station from near Kangla Gate and detained at the PS .
Later, they were released after some talks.
Mention may be made here that Kamalbabu has been missing since November 25 .