Transporters demand SDPO's termination
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, February 09 2013 : Alleging high-handedness by a team of Imphal East district police on the driver community who were mourning demise of one of its colleagues at Mantripukhri today, All Manipur Road Transport drivers and Motor workers' union has urged the Chief Minister of Manipur to immediately terminate service of SDPO (IE) Manjit, who led the police team.

In a memorandum handed to the Chief Minister by a joint delegation of the Union and the JAC formed in connection with the murder of driver Ningombam Gobardhon at Kohima some days back, SDPO Manjit has been accused of resorting to unprovoked firing of teargas canisters and rubber bullets against motor workers, family members, relatives and friends of the deceased person when people gathered at the Union's head office in Mantripukhri to pay their last respects to the mortal remains of Gobardhon this morning.

describing the police team's conduct as inhumane and outrageous the Union demanding the most stringent action against the SDPO cautioned that motor workers and the JAC would launch intense agitation in case no action is initiated against the police officer.

Mourners offering floral tribute to the mortal remains of Ningombam Gobardhon

Later in the afternoon, a joint delegation comprising of the Union general secretary H Kulamani and Transporters and Drivers' Council president H Ranjit called on the Chief Minister O ibobi Singh to air their protest against the unprovoked police crackdown on mourners.

With the duo intimating to the CM that the mourners had gathered peacefully and had no intention to cause disturbance, Ibobi reportedly summoned IGP concerned, SP and the SDPO.

Apart from enquiring what circumstances compelled the Imphal East district police team to launch the crackdown, the CM also assured the transporters' representatives to initiate all possible measures.

Not satisfied with the CM's stand, both Kulamani and Ranjit asserted that intense agitation would be launched in case suitable punitive action is not initiated against the police personnel, including the SDPO, within February 12 .

Earlier in the morning large members of the driver community along with family members, relatives and friends of Gobardhon assembled at the Union's office near Mantripukhri Jama Masjid to offer floral tributes to the victim, whose body was brought by volunteers of the Union from Kohima last night.

At the time of offering floral tributes eastern portion of the National Highway-2 (39) was blocked.

The Union had also given a day-long transport service suspension call to mourn the death of Gobardhon.

It may be noted that Gobardhon was found killed at Kohima and his body tucked inside the box of the driver's compartment while returning to Manipur after loading sugar from FCI godown, Dimapur.

His assistant driver is still missing.

Among others State unit BJP president Th Chaoba Singh and social worker Okram Henry also joined the gathering in paying homage to the departed soul.

In connection with suspected murder of Gobardhon by looters, a public meeting held at his native place in Wangjing Hodamba Leikai, Thoubal district yesterday had resolved to launch agitation in case Government of Manipur could not provide a detailed account about the circumstances under which Gobardhon lost his life and track down the murderers.

A JAC formed at the meeting also served ultimatum to the State Government to do the needful within February 10 failing which it would go launch agitation from the next day.

Consequent to the meeting resolution, the JAC also declared that Gobardhon's corpse would not be claimed until and unless the culprits are pulled up.