IMPHAL, July 27: A newspaper hawker was robbed last night around 8:30 by persons believed to be police commandos. He was also physically assaulted by the commando suspects and treated at the RIMS.
He was later discharged from the hospital after applying first aid.
The incident happened last night in between Meitei Lamkhai and Kyamgei Pal Ahanbi while the hawker was returning home after collecting his monthly bills from his subscribers.
The hawker is identified as one Ningthoujam Ranabir, 34, son of N Mani of Heirok Pt II bazar and presently staying at a rented house at Keishamthong Irom Pukhri Mapan. He was returning to his rented house accompanied by another friend identified as Gopen on his own moped when the incident happened.
In between Meitei Lamkhai and Kyamgei Pal Ahanbi, he was stopped by some individuals who were driving a Maruti Gypsy and a car carrying long fire arms.
It is also learnt that the said individuals checked him and took Rs 17000 and a mobile phone from him.
He was later asked of which militant outfit he belongs to. He produced his I-card issued by the All Manipur News-papers Sales and Distribution Association. But the armed persons started pointing their guns at him and even hit him with the rifle butts.
He was also put up into the Maruti Gypsy and after blindfolding him and tying his hands together he was taken around.
After some minutes, the vehicle stopped and the armed persons pricked him with the gun nozzle and started asking him which militant outfit he belongs to.
When he denied any relation with any militant outfit, they started beating him again.
This morning around 3:30am, the armed persons released him. Villagers of the area came and open his blindfold and hands. On opening his eyes he found the place to be Lilong Arapti, the source said.
Meanwhile, sources further informed that the armed persons called up Ranabir’s elder brother and informed that if they want the vehicle, they should come along with the necessary documents of the vehicle. The mobile has however been switch offed since then.
Meanwhile, a press release of All Manipur Newspaper Sale’s and Distribution’s Association said policemen, who conducted frisking/checking, on Thursday at around 8 pm at Langthabal Pal Ahanbi Meitei Lamkhai have assaulted a newspaper hawker namely Ningthoujam Ranabir Singh and robbed him,.
According to the release, the policemen after seeing his press I-Card said that they don’t care whether he is a pressmen or not and detained him for half-an-hour and later force him in a Maruti-800 car.
Later, after beating him black and blue they robbed away his wrist watch, cash of Rs 16,550, Mobile handset and the documents of his Honda Active bearing registration number MN-01Z-3924.
In this regard the All Manipur Newspaper Sale’s and Distributor’s Association has urged the Chief Minister and Home Minister to take appropriate action to punish the culprits by the book.
Such cruel act will terrorized the general public after seeing policemen instead of feeling relief.
Further the association will be force to launch agitation if the issue is not solving by the Chief Minister and Home Minister before July 30, it added.