Our City or Our Disgrace: Journo detained for taking photos in city!!
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, January 27 2013 : A journalist of Hueiyen Lanpao, who was taking photographs of an electric transformer installed at the edge of Hao Keithel in the heart of Imphal city, was detained by a personnel of City Police today.

Ningthoukhongjam Sanajaoba Meetei, a staff reporter, was clicking the photographs of the transformer, which was in a pitiable conduction, to be carried in the 'Our City or Our Disgrace' column of Hueiyen Lanpao daily when the police constable posted nearby detained him and snatched the camera.

The incident occurred at around 12.30 pm today.

When reporter enquired about the reason for snatching his camera, the police constable claimed that a prohibitory order of SP is in force which prohibits taking photographs in Imphal city.

Furthermore, the police constable asked the reporter whether he had the approval of the SP for taking the photograph and also about the usage of the photographs taken.

The reporter then identified himself as a reporter of Hueiyen Lanpao and showed his identity card to the police constable.

Even after seeing the identity card, the police constable took the reporter to the City Police Station against his will.

At the City Police Station too, a Police Officers including an SI asserted that taking photos in Imphal city is prohibited by an order of the SP.

Later, an editor of Hueiyen Lanpao was informed about the matter.

The editor immediately contacted IG (LO) L Kailun who assured appropriate action against the police personnel involved.

OC of City Police RK Tejbir also scolded the accused police constable for his wrongdoing.

Afterward, acting on the command SP of Imphal Wesy K Jayanta, the accused police constable and the reporter were taken to the office of SP Imphal West K Jayanta by City Police OC RK Tejbir himself.

Upon reaching there, the SP again scolded the accused police constable and asked him about the order that he had purportedly issued to prohibit taking photographs in Imphal city.

The SP also assured appropriate action against the accused police personnel and released the reporter.

The police constable involved in the incident belongs to 2009 batch and is from Pishumthong of Imphal West.

Hueiyen Lanpao has, however, kept his name as anonymous in consideration of his future career.

Hueiyen Lanpao Group of Publications expressed its gratitude to IG (LO), L Kailun, SP Imphal West K Jayanta and OC of City Police RK Tejbir for their prompt response and assurance for necessary action against the accused police constable who was throwing his weight around.

Comment