IMPHAL, April 9: No guilty police or IRB personnel would be spared if they are found to be involved in crimes, assured the state Home Minister Gaikhangam in the wake of the involvement of state police personnel in rape and other crimes.
Gaikhangam was speaking to a group of Imphal based editors who called on him today at his official residence at Babupara.
The Home Minister said, ‘Since the day I became the Home Minister I was confronted with crimes ranging from rape to kidnapping and extortion involving state forces.’
He mentioned the rape of a women at Irom Meijrao, the kidnapping of ADC members involving security escort and Kuki militants under SoO, the involvement of IRB personnel in drug smuggling activities and extortion by police officials of the Narccotic Cell of Imphal West district police.
Congratulating the state police for its prompt action leading to the arrest of four persons including two IRB personnel involved in the rape incident of a housewife on March 22 Minister Gaikhangam said, he has given orders for a detail investigation and preparation of a foolproof chargesheet so as to ensure conviction of the guilty.
He said, it is for the courts to decide on the punishment of guilty persons, while acknowledging the importance of civil society response to such heinous crimes.
Briefing the editors on the case Gaikhangam said, he has met members of the civil society and the Meira Paibis and had assured them that no efforts would be spared to building up a good case.
He further said, he is examining the prospects of a people friendly police force in the state and police reforms. He will also review the modus operandi of commandos and deployment of VDFs in the background of the complaints made by the general public.
A statement of the Home Minister’s office said, on March 22 at about 2 am, one woman who was coming in a Shaktiman Truck was kidnapped at Keinou Awang Leikai along Tiddim road, Bishnupur district and raped by 4 persons at an open field near a school located at Irom Meijrao. Police immediately swung into action and arrested all four accused persons on the same day itself. They have been produced before the court and remanded to judicial custody. Investigation is going on. Out of these four persons, two were found to be personnel belonging to 1st IRB. One was on unauthorized absence and the other had overstayed from leave. They have been immediately placed under suspension and departmental enquiry has been ordered for major penalty. Stringent action will be taken against those erring personnel.
On April 2, an IRB team consisting of one Subedar and seven personnel of 3rd IRB Saivom Post while coming in a unit Bus from Kakching towards the post was intercepted by 42 A.R. Bongyang Post.
On checking the bus in which they were travelling, banned substances like ephedrine powder (93 kgs) and assorted banned drugs including Tab. Polyfed and Tab. Respifed were found from them. On receipt of the information from Assam Rifles, DGP, Manipur ordered SP/Chandel to register a case and arrest all IRB personnel. Accordingly, FIR case was registered under NDPS Act and they have been arrested and remanded to custody. DGP, Manipur also directed ADGP(AP&Trg)to conduct a thorough inquiry. After the preliminary inquiry 8 personnel including Subedar Md Jaheruddin has been placed under suspension. Draft charge sheet has been issued and D.E. is under progress for awarding major penalty.
On April 9, Lilong MLA Abdul Nashir wrote to the DGP that some personnel of Narcotics Cell, Imphal West District detained a driver illegally in order to extort money from him who was reportedly carrying some banned items. DGP immediately ordered an enquiry by Shri L. Kailun, IPS, DIG(Range-l), Manipur. On enquiry, prima facie case was established against 3(three) Constables of Narcotics Cell, Imphal West and Inspector W. Ibocha Singh, O/C Narcotics Cell. Immediate disciplinary action has been taken and on 09/04/2012, the Inspector has been placed under suspension along with 3(three) other Constables namely, Ch. Bikram Singh, M. Ranan Singh and Ch. Dinanchandra Singh. Departmental proceeding has been ordered for major penalty.