Police arrest VV, assault woman; road blocked
Source: Chronicle News Service

Bishnupur, February 22 2025: A 'village volunteer' was arrested by a team of Manipur Police commando from Thamnapokpi Mamang Ward No 4 under Moirang police station at around 10 am on Saturday, during which a woman was allegedly assaulted by the police team.

Upon receiving information of the incident, people protested by blocking Tiddim road.

As per reports, a team of Manipur Police commando arrived in three Gypsy vehicles at Thamnapokpi Mamang Ward No 4 and arrested Moirangthem Thoiba, alias Olen Singh (36), son of M Merajao, from his house.

As he was being taken out from his house, locals tried to stop the police during which a woman from the locality, namely Nongmaithem Sanatombi (55), wife of N Ketuki, was allegedly assaulted by the police personnel who reportedly pointed a gun at her mouth and struck her with a rifle butt on her chest.

Police arrest VV, assault woman; road blocked

She is currently receiving treatment at CHC, Moirang.

As news of the incident spread, people from Thamnapokpi blocked Tiddim road at Thamnapokpi by burning tyres and restricting vehicular movement, demanding unconditional release of Thoiba and appropriate punishment to the police personnel involved in the assault.

The protest ended after talks were held between the protestors and top police officials of Bishnupur district, who arrived at the scene.

Meanwhile, Bishnupur police has informed that a person openly threatened the state forces, mainly commando personnel in one viral video post uploaded on social media on Friday.

According to police report, in the post, the person threatened the police/commando personnel questioning whether they want to return home safely after their duty; whether they would ever reach home if they continued to arrest Meetei village volunteers, etc.

In view of this, police registered a suo moto case against the individual.

Following this, Bishnupur police coordinated with Manipur Police Cybercrime and identified the person in the video as M Thoiba.

A police team then picked him up from Thamnapokpi at around 10 am on Saturday and he was later arrested after proper verification.

Preliminary investigation revealed that he is a cadre of KCP (City Meitei) and a deserter of another banned armed organisation PLA.

He joined KCP (City Meitei) Apunba in June 2023.Police also stated the accused confessed to taking the video at Thamnapokpi area and uploaded it to social media with one of his cadre mates Saikhom Lembus, son of S Sobha Singh of Chingkhu, Sagolmang, Imphal East district.

The arrested person has been handed over to Bishnupur police station for further legal action.