Imphal, August 27 2009: Notwithstanding their reputation sunk to the lowest ebb after Tehelka exposed extra-judicial act of the police commandos, a police team confiscated copies of the news magazine's latest edition from a courier centre besides briefly detaining manager of the courier centre and a driver today.

The driver's detention is said to be in connection with the magazine copies brought to Imphal in a tourist bus.

However, both were released by evening.

According to information received here, a bundle containing copies of the news magazine was loaded to Kangla Rajdhani bus (MN01/1814) from the Guwahati office of Super Jet Courier and deposited at the North AOC branch office of the courier service yesterday.

With the said bundle yet to be distributed, a team of Imphal police station reportedly showed up at the North AOC branch office early in the morning today and produced a receipt (challan) to collect the particular bundle.

At around 8 am the police team returned to the courier office and inquired about the bus driver who brought the magazine bundle.

Upon appearance the driver as well as manager of the courier office were picked up, said a source who identified the duo as (driver) Khumbongmayum Peto (30) s/o Kheda of Nongada Thongkhong and 42 year-old Laishram Seivam (manager) s/o Ibohal of Kwakeithel Laishram Leikai.

Even though both persons have been set free this evening contents of the magazine could not be ascertained as the bundle is still being kept in the custody of the police.

Mention be made that Tehelka exposed some police commandos of encircling Ch Sanjit at the busy BT Road section on July 23 before the youth was shot dead, with the police claiming that former underground member was slain in encounter.

A source disclosed that the Tehelka magazine was meant for one Bhakta and speculated that like the BT Road exposure the magazine's latest edition might contain report that could further damage image of the police commandos.

besides pondering whether the State Government had prohibited circulation of Tehelka magazine in the State, the source said as there is still no confirmation regarding the ban, if any, the State Government owes an explanation to the public on the seizure.

Ironically, when contacted top police officials insisted that there is no report of copies of Tehelka magazine being confiscated.

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