Imphal, June 20 2010: In an obvious show of being hands in gloves with the fuel cartel or grossly violating the laid down norms by the Government, a police officer and a few locals prevented this reporter from taking photographs of jerry cans to be filled with fuel at a petrol outlet this afternoon.

Besides using crude language, the officer forced the scribe not to take the picture triggering a mild commotion at the busy fuel outlet.

In fact, it was the first picture the scribe tried to take just as he reached the spot.

As soon as he reached the petrol pump, he was looking for some news worthy pictures.

As a reporter doing a job, his attention was instantly grabbed while fuel was being filled in a vessel inside a jeep despite the fact that people were waiting for their turn in long queues braving the scorching heat.

Even as the scribe was ready to take the shot, the police officer came into the picture frame and asked the scribe not to take the picture.

The scribe identified himself as a media person by showing his identity card.

However, the officer still said that the scribe must have asked them before taking the picture.

At this juncture, one individual, who identified himself as the manager of the outlet emerged at the scene and asked the scribe on whose consent the picture was taken.

He said, "You have no right to click any photo without taking our consent" .

He also questioned the scribe why he took that particular photograph and not at other pumps.

This is unethical, he said.

The manager explained that the fuel was meant for the MPP on the recommendations of the authorities concerned.

The manager also asked the scribe to handover his identity card which was returned after taking a photostat copy.

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