AR officer breaks norm, argues with HC Judge
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, April 21 2011: The High Court Bar Association Manipur (HCBAM) has brought up the incident of an alleged misbehaviour of a post commander of the Assam Rifles to a Judge of the Gauhati High Court to the notice of the Prime Minister, Dr Manmohon Singh even as AR authority assured of action against the post commander for the breach of protocol.

The question of the alleged misbehaviour and breach of protocol arose following a bitter argument between a personnel of the 28 AR and a convoy member of the Judge of Gauhati High Court, T Nanda Kumar, yesterday around 10 am when the Judge was on his way to attend the inaugural function of the District Court Complex at Lamphelpat.

Reports said that the sitting Judge of Gauhati High Court and his security convoy, passing by the BT Fly-over was suddenly obstructed near the Congress Bhavan by an AR vehicle which carried Major Momo Sapam, Post Commander of Chingamathak 28th AR Post.

A statement of IGAR (S) said that the officer, Momo Sapam, was travelling in his vehicle on the BT Flyover when the convoy of Justice T Nanda Kumar came from behind.

"Due to non-availability of space the convoy could not be given an opportunity to over take immediately" .

While overtaking the Major's vehicle, one of the escorts in the Judge's convoy hurled abuses towards the officer.

The officer followed the convoy to the court complex, Lamphel and approached the Judge to inform him about the misconduct.

"It is due to ignorance and being unaware of the protocol that the officer approached the honourable Judge directly," the statement of the IGAR(S) clarified.

The officer expressed his desire to apologize to the Judge yesterday but could not get an audience.

An appointment was fixed for 11 am today for the same.

However, it did not materialise due to the Judge being busy with the schedule of the Chief Justice the statement said asserting that AR authority will take up strict disciplinary action against the officer concerned for the breach of protocol.

On the other hand, the Bar Association has sought the intervention of the Prime Minister to take up necessary and appropriate action against the "errant officer" asserting that apart from yesterday's incident, this slur of misbehaviour has been cast on AR and that many civil societies have hurled accusations of same kind in the last few weeks in the state.

In the memorandum submitted to the Prime Minister, the HCBAM demanded to take up necessary action against Major Momo Sapam alleging that "his conduct of affronting the Judge is a serious matter for the judicial institution" .

Copies of the memorandum were also sent to the Union Home Minister, Union Defence Minister, state Chief Minister, Chief Justice of Guwahati High Court, Chief of the Army Staff, General Officer Commanding, Eastern Command and IGAR, South.

Comment