IMPHAL, July 28: Home Minister Gaikhangam has categorically stated that the police personnel will be not spared if involved in the robbery case of one newspaper hawker at Langthabal Pal Ahanbi Meitei Lamkhai on July 26.
The state government will take stringent action against any police personnel involved in crimes and other anti-social activities, home minister reiterated.
It may be recalled that the incident happened on the night of July 26 in between Meitei Lamkhai and Kyamgei Pal Ahanbi while the hawker was returning home after collecting his monthly bills from his subscribers.
The hawker is identified as one Ningthoujam Ranbir, 34, son of N Mani of Heirok Pt II bazar and presently staying at a rented house at Keishamthong Irom Pukhri Mapan. He was returning to his rented house accompanied by another friend identified as Gopen on his own moped when the incident happened.
In between Meitei Lamkhai and Kyamgei Pal Ahanbi, he was stopped by some individuals who were driving a Maruti Gypsy and a car carrying long fire arms.
It is also learnt that the said individuals checked him and took Rs 17000 and a mobile phone from him.
He was later asked of which militant outfit he belongs to. He produced his I-card issued by the All Manipur News-papers Sales and Distribution Association. But the armed persons started pointing their guns at him and even hit him with the rifle butts.
He was also put up into the Maruti Gypsy and after blindfolding him and tying his hands together he was taken around.
After some minutes, the vehicle stopped and the armed persons pricked him with the gun nozzle and started asking him which militant outfit he belongs to.
When he denied any relation with any militant outfit, they started beating him again.
In the morning of July 27 at around 3:30am, the armed persons released him. Villagers of the area came and opened his blindfold and hands. On opening his eyes he found the place to be Lilong Arapti, the source said.