Road blocked over assault of SI
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, May 12 2015 :
Imphal-Jiribam highway was blocked today over the alleged physical assault of Sub-Inspector Amitabh Arambam by the escort party of Manipur Legislative Assembly Speaker Th Lokeshwar.
Sources said that the escort commander has been put under suspension.
It is reported that wounded Amitabh is currently undergoing treatment at Shija Hospital.
Aggrieved by the arrogant conduct of the escort party, a large number of people came out and blocked the highway at Tera.
As a police team led by Imphal P/S OC Shantikumar tried to persuade the protesters and re-open the highway, a face-off ensued between the police team and the protesters.
The protesters maintained they would carry on their agitation until the escort party and the Speaker himself are taken to task.
When they can mercilessly thrash a fellow policeman, the escort party would go to any extent if their target happens to be civilians, they asserted.
After a brief stand off, the protesters agreed to leave one half of the highway open.
They squatted on one side of the highway and staged a sit-in-protest.
One local meira paibi leader decried that the Speaker sat inside his vehicle and watched his escort thrash the SI instead of making any attempt to intervene.
Lokeshwar should step down from the post of Speaker by Thursday and the accused escort personnel should be suspended.
Even though City Police refused to register an FIR till yesterday, one FIR numbered 65(5) 2015 was registered at City police station under IPC Sections 325, 386, 425 and 34 today.
Sub-Inspector Amitabh was assaulted by the escort party of the Speaker near the western gate of Kangla on May 10 as his convoy was not given space to overtake the SI's vehicle.
The SI was travelling with his wife when the escort personnel thrashed him black and blue.
The thrashing went on even after Amitabh identified himself as a Sub-Inspector, according to reports.
Meanwhile, the Manipur People's Party (MPP) has strongly condemned the assault of SI Amitabh by the escort party of the Speaker.
It is rather disappointing that the Speaker did not bother to intervene even as the SI was beaten black and blue.
The very act of beating up a policeman in broad day light right in front of his wife has created a fear psychosis among the public, said a press release issued by MPP general secretary (publicity) Y Bhim Singh.