IMPHAL, January 17: In an apparent case of power abuse, Commerce and Industry Minister, Govindas Konthoujam, today allegedly slapped a BJP worker inside Bishnupur police station besides threatening to kill the individual.
Meanwhile, the victim’s family was also allegedly subjected to beating at the hands of police under the order of the Minister.
The victim reportedly slapped by the Minister has been identified as Angom Dipak Singh, 29, son of A Irabanta Singh of Ningthoukhong Awang Khunou ward number 1.
Dipak is said to be the son of BJP candidate, Angom Tombi Devi, who recently suffered a defeat during the local body election in the hand of congress candidate Angom Brojeshwori Devi.
Talking to IFP, Aruna Devi, the victim’s sister revealed that the incident occurred around 9.45 am this morning. The incident was a fall out of a tussle broke out between a group of congress supporter led by Laishram (O) Sarojini Devi (worker of Angom Brojeshwori Devi) and the victim’s mother Angom Tombi’s supporter (BJP).
According to Aruna, she was at home washing clothes when the tussle broke.
She said that post the incident she saw a team of Bishnupur police entering the residence of the Congress candidate before approaching her.
The police team reportedly notified Aruna that a complaint has been registered against their family before asking them to come to the station to resolve the issue.
Subsequently, Aruna along with the rest of the family members went to the police station. On reaching the campus of the police station, his brother Dipak was allegedly slapped without any warning by Minister Govindas Konthoujam, who was already there at the station. Moreover, the Minister also threatened Dipak, to finish him off with a single bullet.
The Minister further asked the police to take Dipak and his mother into custody before ordering them to thrash the mother and son, continued Aruna.
Aruna and her younger sister, Sonia, 21 year of age, was also alleged to have been subjected to police beating under the Minister’s order despite her attempt to explained that she and her sister was not part of the tussle that broke out earlier today.
On their way inside the police station Aruna claimed that her mother (Tombi), was seen being assaulted mercilessly and tortured by women police in civvies having her blind folded.
It has been informed that as a result of the beating both the sisters have been hospitalised at the Bishnupur district hospital this afternoon around 1.30pm while Dipak and his mother, is said to be in the lock-up.
Meanwhile, IFP’s attempt to contact Minister Govindas Konthoujam, to get his comment on the incident, turned futile as it is learnt that the Minister left Imphal for Delhi this afternoon.
The Minister was reportedly accompanied by Chief Secretary, O Nabakishore Singh. The Minister’s mobile was also switched off till the filing of this report.
Later in the evening, BJP Manipur president, Th Chaoba and Thongju MLA, Th Bishwajit Singh along with other members visited the victim sisters who were hospitalised at the district hospital.
Bishnupur District Kendra Committee BJP strongly condemning the incident formed a JAC against the incident. The JAC resolved to lodge a complaint of ‘attempted murder’ against the Minister and pressure the Government to bring him to book.
