Imphal, April 17: Giving an ironic twist to the 48 hour bandh called by the Senapati District Students' Association against the excesses of underground cadres, particularly the torching of a passenger bus at Imphal some time back, MR personnel severely thrashed a Tata Sumo driver while he was returning after dropping a patient at Taphou Kuki on April 15.The bandh was called from midnight of April 13 till midnight of April 15.Talking to this correspondent, SDSA members said that the driver was picked up by MR personnel on April 15 at about 5.30 am, while the bandh was on and was beaten black and blue till his release at 7.30 pm.

Instead of handing the driver to the nearest police station, the MR personnel kept the driver in their custody till late into the evening, said the student body and demanded that the Government bear the medical expenses.

SDSA also demanded stern action against the security personnel involved in the dastardly act and questioned whether the Government is acting in cahoots with militants as the driver was picked up during a bandh called against the excesses of armed groups.

Taking strong exception against the assault of the driver, SDSA along with the Naga People's Organisation organised a meeting to condemn the action of the security personnel.

The two bodies also decided to demand punitive action against the security personnel within two or three days time failing which they will take up their own course of action.

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