Jail authorities refute allegations, set record straight
Source: Chronicle News Service / DIPR

Imphal, July 20 2024: Manipur Central Jail Superintendent Sorokhaibam Bhadrika has rubbished the allegations levelled against Manipur Jail authorities by the founder of India for Myanmar advocacy group and said it was defamatory.

Addressing a press conference held at the Office Chamber of Superintendent, Manipur Central Jail, Imphal on Saturday, Sorokhaibam Bhadrika clarified that the allegations made during a telephonic interview between "The Wire," published on June 27, and the founder of India for Myanmar advocacy group, named Salai Dokhar, were completely fabricated and false.

The main agenda of the on-going hunger strike was not even related to the false accusations mentioned in the telephonic interview, rather it the demand to release them from jail, the SP further clarified.

The SP continued that he himself went to control the recent protest by the detainees inside the jail.

But the detainees overpowered him upon entry and as such, several tear gas shells were fired as controlling measures.

However, no detainees were abused or tortured during the same, he asserted.

Among the detainees, 70 were from Kuki community, some of whom were recently taken to Kangpokpi.

While preparations were being made for scouts to escort the remaining 42 people, they launched a hunger strike demanding their release and stirred up tension in the detention centre, which resulted in firing of tear gas shells to control the situation from going out of control, he conveyed.

He stated that the Manipur Jail authorities do not have the authority to release them as they were penalised by the Court under Section 14 of the Foreigners Act.

He said that only after getting thorough clarification from the Myanmar Embassy, the detainees could be deported back to Myanmar as per the rules and regulations.

SP Bhadrika further said that the detainees also demanded to release them either in Moreh, where they were apprehended, or Churachandpur or Mizoram but not in Myanmar (Burma).

However, he stated that these demands cannot be fulfilled as it is under the policy of Government of Manipur and not under the Manipur Central Jail authority.

He said that there was no record of taking the mentioned "Rs 50,000" from them by the jail authorities.

The said amount might have been given to advocates for private legal act counselling, which the jail authorities are not aware of, he added, while mentioning that free legal services are being provided to the inmates through the jail's own legal aid clinic.

The SP also said that the detainees were being taken care of as per the rules and were provided with adequate quantity of uncontaminated water through RO Water filter, both for drinking and other uses, even when there is scarcity of water in the state.

The detainees were also allowed to communicate with their families and even through video callings via a mobile phone kept aside for them.

There is also an order by the court to ensure contact between the detainees and their families if no call has been received for three months.

All of the expenditures are borne by the jail authorities.

The allegations made in the interview were misleading and tarnished the reputation of the prison authorities.

So, it is defamatory, he stated.

Other officials and staff of Manipur Central Jail were also present during the press conference.

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