Imphal, March 02: M Naobi, who has been taken into custody of Thoubal police in connection with the February 20 ambush of PLA in which four commando personnel including its OC Lokhon and a PLA cadre identified as Sgt Romen alias Bikash were killed, would be released by the court if found innocent.

This was disclosed by Chief Minister O Ibobi in response to a call attention motion raised by MLAs L Ibomcha and Sovakiran concerning alleged torture and prolonged detention of Naobi.

While terming the killing of Z-category security man OC Lokhon as unfortunate Ibomcha proposed for an internal inquiry to delve into security lapses, if any.

Moreover, Ibomcha noted that as according to media reports and allegations raised by the family of Naobi, third degree torture has been meted out to the detainee going to the extent of tearing of her shirt.

The issue has become a serious case of human rights violations by security forces just like the case of Th Manorama and consequently people have launched protest movement all over the State, observed Ibomcha while asking the CM to present the charges in the House under which Naobi of Leirongthel is detained.

He also suggested to constitute a team of MLAs to visit the detainee and to have first hand account of the various allegations levelled against State police.

Taking strong exception of the prohibition of sit-in-protest in different localities, Ibomcha opined that there is nothing undemocratic and illegal in such peaceful protests.

M Naobi d/o Shyamjai is a resident of Leirongthel under Heirok A/C and is serving as a teacher in a private school of Yairipok Changamdabi, mentioned MLA of the constituency, Sovakiran.

She has also completed MA (previous) in English under IGNOU, he added.

Questioning whether any action was initiated against the families of Satwant Singh and Beant Singh involved in the assassination of Indira Gandhi, Sobhakiran maintained that there is nothing illegal in Naobi taking part in the funeral service of Bikash.

While expressing strong resentment at the absence of women police while apprehending Naobi and at the alleged torture of Naobi going to the extent of tearing her shirt, Sovakiran urged for the immediate release of Naobi if proved innocent.

Responding to Sovakiran, Ibobi disclosed that Naobi was nabbed after the funeral of Naobi but her innocence or involvement in the killing of Lokhon would be known only after completion of inquiry and added that she is being detained with the approval of CJM Thoubal.

Noting that the incident of Thoubal is not a minor case, Ibobi asserted that it would not be in the right direction for the House to interfere in the police inquiry of the incident.

He also disclosed that the police is still unable to book the culprits involved in the incident.

Maintaining that MLAs ought to acknowledge the contribution of police commandos towards maintenance of law and order in the State, Ibobi noted that it would not be right to interfere as the case is already under court.

On the other hand, Ibomcha contended that as no chargesheet has been submitted to the court in connection with the arrest of Naobi, the case is not yet under court and urged the Speaker to arrange for a team of MLAs to visit Naobi in the police custody.

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