Cong questions 'improved law and order' rhetoric
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, May 06 2022: While strongly condemning the alleged custodial death of goldsmith Arambam Nanao, the Congress party has raised posers over the BJP government's claim that there has been improvement in the law and order situation in the state.

Addressing media persons at Congress Bhawan here on Friday, MPCC spokesperson Md Ravi Khan demanded time bound enquiry into the controversial death of Nanao and take up befitting actions against those involved in the incident.

Sharing the grief and pain of the bereaved family, he also welcomed the order of the chief judicial magistrate, Imphal West to conduct judicial enquiry and to submit report within two weeks based on an appeal made by the victim's mother.

Further recounting that a police constable namely Manjur Ahmad died in police custody at the joint interrogation cell on March 11, 2019 for which the then CJM, Imphal East carried, out a judicial enquiry and the report was submitted within one month, Ravi Khan lamented that no appropriate action was taken up against the police personnel involved.

Moreover, police are yet to arrest those who killed Athuan Abonmei after kidnapping the social activist from a programme venue of chief minister N Biren.

Now, a civilian has died in police custody.

All these occurred despite the tall claims being made by the BJP government that there is marked improvement in the law and order situation, he said.

Ravi Khan further pointed out that Congress spokesperson and MPCC legal department chairman advocate Shyamacharan was also arrested in the death of night as if he was a dreaded criminal and declared as a proclaimed offender by the court.

Amid such acts of atrocities committed by the police there is no foreseeable reason for the public to either live in peace or believe that they are safe, he opined.

It is highly condemnable for a sub-inspector to misuse law in a police station which is adjacent to the SP's office and close to the CM's bungalow.

The department should also take up appropriate action against the officer in-charge of the police station and other personnel involved.

The enquiry should cover call records of SI Th Jitendro, any political pressure, name of complainant, reason for arresting a person without registering any case, reason for physical assault and owner of the '60 san of gold' among others.

Mere suspension cannot be termed as punishment for misusing law and power leading to custodial death of a civilian, the Congress spokesman maintained.

He also asked the government not to try to compromise the case by providing some material relief to the victim's family as it could tantamount to abetment of similar abominable incidents.

MPCC vice-president Bidyapati Senjam, general secretary (administration) S Jiten, general secretary S Birla and secretary W Ratankumar were also present at the media briefing.

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