Inmate of rehab centre allegedly beaten to death
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, April 29 2020: An inmate of Gateway of Recovery, Nungoi Pourabi, Imphal East was allegedly beaten to death by staff of the rehabilitation centre yesterday.

The deceased identified as Yengkhom Dhanabir (26), son of Y Jugeshor of Sekta Awang Leikai, was mercilessly beaten by some of the staff from around 9 am till around 12.30 pm yesterday leading to his death, alleged his younger brother Rabi who is also an inmate at the rehabilitation centre.

Ten inmates of the centre had run away from the centre yesterday morning and three of them including Dhanabir were caught and brought back by the staff of the centre.

"Some staff of the centre took turns to beat Dhanabir for hours from 9 am to 12.30 pm.

After he took the beating, he requested to take him to hospital.

My brother (Dhanabir) then went to sleep but was found dead at around 3.30 pm when I tried to wake him up for his meal," said Rabi.

Rabi also alleged that when Dhanabir complained about having difficulty in breathing and pain, and requested the staff to take him to hospital, he was administered asthma inhaler instead and ignored.

On the other hand, irate mob damaged and burnt a section of the centre following the death yesterday.

Lamlai police rushed and controlled the mob.

Meanwhile, Sekta locals have formed a "JAC Against the Unnatural Death of Yengkhom Dhanabir" and have taken several resolutions seeking strict action against all staff involved in the case and ex-gratia to the family members.

The de-addiction centre must provide expenses of treating injured inmates who were also beaten up yesterday, said the JAC.

The JAC will not claim the body unless an agreement is reached between the family members (JAC) and the Government.

Apart from boycotting the centre, the JAC will be launching intense agitation until justice is delivered and all involved are punished, added the JAC.

Strict guidelines and norms for running the rehabilitation centres should be laid down and followed, it added.

Community Network for Environment (CoNE) has also reached out to the family of the deceased and met with the JAC.

Strongly condemning and denouncing the incident, CoNE president RK Nalinikanta said that the Gateway of Recovery and Government should bear the responsibility for the death of Dhanabir.

Lack of proper regulations and guidelines is also a main reason for occurrence of such incidents in Manipur, he said adding the State should enact proper rules and regulations to monitor the rehabilitation centres.

He also urged Government and all authorities concerned to act swiftly and punish all involved in the case at the earliest.

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