Condemn physical assault of CAF&PD officials

April 29th 2020

Condemnation statement

An ill-fated incident of physical assaulting to Mr. Haobam Bobby, Civil Supply Inspector and Leimapokpam Ibotombi Singh, Area Officer, occurred at M/S Heibok Oil Pump located at Chandranadi Toupokpi on 17th April, 2020 at around 9.30 pm when they reached the said oil pump as a part of the inspection of the oil pumps located at Imphal West and Imphal East areas in order to regulate distribution of the POL during strict curfew and nationwide lockdown.

At the spot they found the counter was light on and requested Mr. Laishram Surjit who was inside the counter to obey with their inspection procedure as they are coming from CAF&PD department. But instead of co-operating to the officials, Surjit who is the younger brother of owner of oil pump from inside the counter came out with a small gun and started assaulting them without giving any proper reason to them.

Thereafter, Mr. Laishram Suresh of Chajing Konjeng Leikai – owner of pump also joined his brother for torturing the visiting officials continuously after confining them for around two hours. The visiting officials have even shown their ID proofs and other related documents to them but alleged accused obstructed their duty and assaulted them very severely.

During the attacks, H. Bobby sustained injuries on his nasal area & left side leg and L. Ibotombi sustained injuries on his facial and head region. Subsequently Bobby has been medically treated at M/S Padma Medicare, RIMS road.

Human Rights Initiative vehemently condemned the incident in very stringent manner for obstructing the lawful duty of the public servant (CAF&PD officials) causing severe injuries and also threatening them with dire consequences by showing small arm during the nation-wide lockdown and curfew on account of Covid-19 pandemic.

Further HRI urge the State Government, especially the Home Department to ensure the safety and security of the officials on duty and those culprits must be penalised sternly as per the law of the land.

HRI further urge the concerned authority to seal M/S Heibok Oil Pump located at Chandranadi Toupokpi with immediate effect in the larger interest of law and order. So that such unwanted incident should not be repeated again in future.

It has been reported that such kind of incidents were recently occurred very often in the state especially during the nationwide lock down period. So it is up to the Government and other Concerned Departments to check the present undesirable chain of crimes or malpractices committed by some miscreants once for all.

Lastly, HRI extend our deepest sympathies to the injured staffs and wish to recover the health condition as soon as possible without any hindrance.

(Manoj Thokchom)
Administrator
Human Rights Initiative