Money-begging Commandos beat up truck drivers
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, May 14 2013: The drivers of three goods laden trucks, who were on their way to Imphal from Jiri, were mercilessly beaten by a team of Manipur Police Commandos on duty near Patsoi Commando Barrack area, after the drivers refused to pay the monetary demands made by the Police Commandos.

Disclosing this to media during a press conference at Manipur Press Club here today, Laishram Ratankumar, General Secretary of Highway truck Owners' Welfare Organisation (HTOWO), informed that the three truck drivers were coming from Jiribam when they were stopped by a team of Manipur Police Commandos near the Commando Barrack at Patsoi around 7.30 pm yesterday.

The police commandos demanded money from the three drivers and started beating them up when they refused to pay the money.

Among the three drivers, two of them sustained serious injuries and they have been admitted to RIMS for treatment.

The injured truck drivers have been identified as Md Sultan (29), s/o Siraj Ahmad of Kwakta and Joy Namoijam (32), s/o N Iboton of Senjam Khunnou.

The registration number of the truck driven by Siraj Ahmad is MN01A 2568 while that of Joy is MN01 6808.The other driver namely Daulat Khan (30), s/o Jhallal of Kwakta, who came behind the two trucks, was not so seriously hurt although he was also detained and beaten up the police commandos.

Ratankumar further informed that the police commandos demanded Rs 500 each from the three drivers.

While the drivers were trying to settle the problem, the commandos began to use harsh words and beat up the drivers.

The commandos also demanded to give them Rs 500 or 5 cement bags which were being carried in the trucks.

The inhuman act of the police commandos on the innocent truck drivers, who are risking their lives in transporting essential commodities for the people of the State, was very unfortunate and highly condemnable, Ratankumar said, and demanded that all those police commandos involved in the incident should be suspended from service.

He further stated that a memorandum in this regard would be submitted to Home Minister Gaikhangam and a delegation of different transport organizations would also meet the Prime Minister on May 17 During the meeting, the delegation would apprise the Prime Minister about the incident.

M Tomba, General Secretary, Manipur Driver Welfare Association and L Angou, President of All Manipur Inter State Bus Services Association were also present during the press conference.

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