Imphal, March 04: Five personnel of Thoubal police commandos including a Sub-Inspector have been placed under suspension in connection with the arrest and alleged harassment, torture and molestation of Maibam Naobi Chanu in police custody.

The State Government has issued the suspension order following public outcry against misconduct of the police commandos on the innocent girl, reported to be girlfriend of deceased PLA cadre Kh Bikash who took part in the clinical attack that slain Officer-in-charge of Thoubal police commando Inspector N Lokhon and three other personnel at Thoubal on February 20.The Thoubal police commandos arrested Naobi, a resident of Yairipok Leirongthel Pitra from the Khangabok residence of Bikash where she had come to take part in the funeral service.

She was kept in custody of police for more than nine days during which she was subjected to alleged harassment and molested by the commandos before she was released by Chief Judicial Magistrate, Thoubal on grounds that the police could not substantiate their charges levelled against her.

The State Government has also taken up the step to hand over the charge of Thoubal District SP E Priyokumar to Bishnupur district SP Soibam Ibocha.

In the absence of Ibocha, the office of the Bishnupur SP would be looked after by Additional SP Jayanta as interim arrangement.

Under Secretary of Department of Personnel and Administrative Reform has also issued an order in this regard.

According to the order, Thoubal SP in-charge Priyokumar have been transferred as Commanding Officer-in-charge of 8 Manipur Rifles battalion and CO in-charge of VI Manipur Rifles S Manaobi as CO in-charge of II MR.CO in-charge of 1st and 2nd MR K Radhashyam would assume charge of the office of the Ist MR only.

Gauging the sentiment of the people on the misconduct of the police commandos against the innocent girl, the Home Department has suspended one SI of Thoubal Police Commando, three Constables and a Rifleman of MR who is attached to the Thoubal District Commandos.

When The Sangai Express contacted DIG (Range-II) C Doungel, the police officer identified the suspended five personnel as SI Chaoba, Constables Md Nazir, Joseph Hmar, Punshi and Rifleman Saikhom Deven.

The SP of Thoubal and CO of Ist MR have also issued official orders on their suspension.

Earlier during the day, taking serious note of prevailing situation in the aftermath of the arrest, subsequent release and disclosure of Naobi, Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh reportedly arrived at the Raj Bhavan today to discuss the matter with Governor Dr SS Sidhu from 11 am to 12.30 pm.

The matter was also deliberated upon in minute details by the State Cabinet later in the evening.

The suspension order of the five police personnel and the transfer of the Thoubal SP is believed to have come about as an outcome of all these discussions.

Meanwhile, Thoubal district Magistrate has officially issued notification for conduct of a magisterial inquiry to ascertain facts into allegations of M Naobi Chanu (26).The notice issued by Thoubal DM P Vaiphei today 'invited all parties/persons interested in the matter or in the conduct of the said enquiry particularly those having knowledge relating to the allegation to file their statements of facts supported by affidavits, documents, etc (if any) and to submit the relevant documents to the enquiry authority on or before March 8'.The notice also necessitate filing of any complaint or allegation in the matter by the victim girl M Naobi Chanu within the said deadline while informing that her personal appearance before the enquiry authority and need to undergo medical examination by the 'competent authority, if necessary' may be required.

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