Suspension of Motbung outpost officer triggers mixed reactions
Source: Chronicle News Service

Kangpokpi, June 09 2021: A sub-inspector of Kangpokpi district police posted at Mot- bung Outpost has been placed under suspension from service for alleged misconduct towards an individual who allegedly violated curfew and flouted COVID safety protocol on June 7 evening at Charhajare in Kangpokpi district.

An order issued by the Superintendent of Police in connection with the incident stated that a departmental enquiry has been initiated against sub-inspector Lenginthang Misao, post commander of Motbung Outpost based on the report that while performing his assigned duty on June 7 he had done grave misconduct by behaving in a rude and impolite manner to one civilian and using excessive physical force that is unbecoming of a disciplined service like Manipur Police.

It also stated that the said the sub-inspector has been charged with dereliction of duty and causing inconveniences to civilian while performing routine law and order duty at Motbung bazar.

Deputy SP Kangpokpi Song Siem Go Sang was appointed as the enquiry officer for the departmental enquiry while OC Gamnom Saparmeina Police Station was appointed as presenting officer.

While placing Lenginthang Misao under suspension, the SP also directed that the departmental enquiry shall be conducted as per rules keeping natural justice in mind and the enquiry officer will submit the finding within 30 days.

The suspended police officer shall be stationed at Reserve Line, DHQs Kangpokpi pending completion of the enquiry process, it added.

Meanwhile, the victim identified as Pradeep Karki, a private teacher by profession, alleged that he was assaulted by the police when he asked for an explanation as to why his brother should not be detained.

According to the victim's viral video, the police had detained his brother who after having food went home around 8:30 pm.

Pradeep also said that he asked for permission first and one of the police constables allowed his brother to go but the police personnel started questioning him as to what authority he had to release the detained person and started assaulting him.

However, the COVID Task Force Motbung area refuted the allegation by Pradeep Karki and condemned the alleged fabricated story to conceal his violation of curfew and COVID guidelines.

SK Thanglenmang, convenor of COVID Task Force Motbung area, said that Pradeep Karki firstly violated curfew by venturing out without any emergency as the curfew was in force from 6 pm apart from the local lockdown.

He also said that as per government orders, all types of gathering have been strictly restricted but the educated private teacher along with his family and relatives organised a birthday party and had dinner together.

He continued that the police on duty enforcing strict COVID appropriate behaviour with the Task Force volunteers since the imposition of the curfew and local lockdown as usual detained an individual who violated curfew and COVID guidelines, but Pradeep Karki went straight to the detained person and said "you go I will handle them" without showing any respect to the police officer and other personnel on duty.

When the police personnel enquired as to why and on whose authority he released the detained person, he (Pradeep) arrogantly remained silent.

When the police personnel insisted on a response from the person, he started abusing the on-duty police officer.

Apart from violating certain curfew and COVID appropriate behaviour, his arrogance toward a police officer and his team ultimately enraged them and punished him by a few thrashings with a stick.

Only after that he (Pradeep) sought an apology and the police officer asked him to come the next day to get challan for violating curfew and COVID appropriate behaviour.

However, after reaching home, one of his friends having political connection with ruling entity took the video and forwarded directly to him and the suspension order of the particular police officer was issued right in the next morning, the task force convenor said.

Thanglenmang then pointed out that Motbung outpost police personnel despite minimal manpower tirelessly work for the welfare of the area as frontline workers.

They cover the area of Motbung and Charhajare having a population of more than ten thousand.

They work day and night enforcing curfew and COVID guidelines in collaboration with the COVID Task Force Motbung area.

Through the tireless efforts of Mot- bung outpost police personnel under sub-inspector Lenginthang Misao, the dreaded COVID-19 infection in the areas has been exemplary controlled as only 21 individuals have so far tested positive, he claimed.

The convenor continued that if a dedicated and committed police officer like SI Lenginthang Misao could land in trouble for punishing a punishable person who violated the curfew and COVID appropriate behaviour, it would be demoralising for other many frontline workers in discharging their duties and responsibilities.

He then asked those political party leaders on what motive and intention they interfered in the matter without ascertaining the fact and fell for a fabricated story of a violator to jump to a scandalous decision.

The task force convenor recalled that many youths of Motbung model village itself were punished and even beaten by the police personnel for violating the curfew but none of them has complained.

But an educated person who failed to understand even the basic preventive measures got a sincere police officer, a front line worker, into trouble with the support of some vested political party leaders, he said.

Thanglenmang then drew the attention of the Chief Minister to look into the matter and revoke the suspension orders of the dedicated front line police officer on humanitarian ground and public interest at the earliest and let him continue his duties in containing the dreaded virus in Motbung area.

Comment