Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, August 16:
Postal services like transaction of money, speed post, speed money order, telegram money order and despatching of letters and parcels have come to a grinding halt at Imphal Post office from today following the indefinite cease work strike launched by All India Postal Employees' Union to protest the arrest and torture of a postman by City police personnel.
According to president of All India Postal Employees Union, Kh Ibobi, the indefinite cease work strike has been launched against the police and the authorities of the Post office to protest the arrest and torture of postman Thanggachin Paite by the police in violation of not only the IPO Act and also with the approval of the Enquiry Committee of the Postal Department.
It is said that while Thanggachin Paite, who hails from Churachandpur but presently staying at New Checkon, was on leave from May 2 to 31, a register letter in the name of one LK Lokhomao had come from LIC through the post office on May 25.With the help of the said registered letter containing a bank draft, one Haomilien Kipgen fraudulently withdrew Rs 53,953 from the bank as first installment.
When the matter came to light, the bank authorities informed the police who subsequently arrested Haomilien Kipgen when he came for withdrawing the rest of the amount.
During interrogation, Haomilien Kipgen disclosed that Thanggachin Paite delivered the registered letter of the LIC to him and accordingly, Thanggachin Paite was arrested, said police, adding that the arrested postman was subsequently granted interim bail.
However, the agitating postal employees contended that Thanggachin could not have delivered the said letter while he was on leave.
Even if he had done so, the arrest should be effected only after the Enquiry Committee of the Postal Department had given its approval in accordance with the IPA Act.