TAKDO rues police inaction in relief camp assault case
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, May 13 2024:
A group of miscreants with clubs and iron rods vandalised a car, rooms and assaulted some residents of the relief camp set up in a school-cum office of the ZEO near Khoyathong Pukhri Achouba on May 8 night but police are yet to take up any action against the perpetrators, according to Thangmeiband Kendra Development Organisation (TAKDO).
Addressing a press meet at the relief camp on Monday, TAKDO members said that a water tanker truck came to deliver water for the camp residents on May 8 around 2 pm.
However, the truck could not access the camp as three cars (MN01S 8569, MN01AG 1848 and MN01S 3272) parked at the entrance blocked the passage.
Volunteers informed about the situation to secretary of the nearby Rising Knowledge Club and tried to locate owners of the cars.
They enquired the nearby homes about the owners but could not find them.
Later, the truck returned without unloading water.
The truck returned around 5 pm but the same cars remained stationary as the said spot.
As they could not find the owners of the car in their second attempt too, the volunteers deflated the tyres with the hope of talking with the car owners when they came.
Around 8.30 pm, a group of individuals led by one Polem Diamond came and insisted on identifying those who deflated the car tyres, due to which Thangmeiband MLA Kh Joykisan, who shoulders main responsibility in running the relief camp came and talked with the group of individuals.
As Diamond was speaking rudely to the MLA, one of the volunteers called N Romio slapped Diamond.
Amid the commotion, Diamond's elder brother Polemba showed up.
The MLA then advised Polemba to convince his younger brother for sorting out the matter the next day.
Shortly after they left, Diamond and Polemba along with around 10 persons armed with clubs and iron rod barged into the relief camp and assaulted Romio.
As they refused to calm down despiteattempt to defuse the situation, the MLA asked his escorts to fire some rounds in the air, which the security personnel complied with.
The MLA informed about the tense situation to SP Imphal West.
Thangmeiband United Club president Leishangthem Pratap also arrived there at that time.
Amid the melee, the miscreants led by the two brothers smashed the windshield and body of a car belonging to a resident of the relief camp, which was parked in the compound.
Seeing the violent situation, 14 children in the relief camp lost consciousness and were rushed to RIMS along with volunteer N Romio.
Some of the children are still experiencing panic attack, the TAKDO members said.
On the next morning, the water truck came again but the three cars were still there.
Ultimately, SP Imphal West was informed, who sent some police personnel and towed away the cars.
A suo moto case was taken up by Imphal police station in connection with the incident with charges of intentional affray, criminal intimidation, and committing an act with common intention, among others.
The TAKDO members further claimed that the case does not have any act related with assault and vandalism.
Moreover, no action has been taken up in connection with the incident till date even though chief minister himself had assured the MLA of arresting the perpetrators and taking up legal actions against them.
Expressing strong resentment over the incident and indifferent attitude of the police, the volunteers of the relief camp demanded the government to take up suitable action against the perpetrators.