Why was Manipur Additional SP violating lockdown protocols?

Imphal: Additional superintendent of police, Thounaojam Brinda and two others were detained by police for allegedly flouting the lockdown protocols in Sangaiprou area in Imphal West district on Monday night.

A statement issued by Imphal West district superintendent of police K Meghachandra says, “on Monday at around 10:20 pm, Kakching SP informed him that a white Verna car was stopped for checking at Kakching near bazaar by a police team. A lady occupant identified herself as an Additional SP and drove away before proper verification was done. An alert was issued to all district border checkpoints, including the control room and night duty officers of Imphal West also alerted.

At around 12:50 am on Tuesday, the police night patrol team spotted the vehicle in Imphal West. Meghachandra, in the statement, also alleged that the occupants of the vehicled did not cooperate with the police.

Three people were inside the vehicle and were identified later as additional SP Thounaojam Brinda, Phairembam Sonia of Bishnupur district and Huidrom Anil Singh of Wangkhei Laishram Leikai in Imphal.

Also Read: Manipur: 227 lockdown violators detained; Rs 8,000 collected as fine

As per the police statement, after much persuasion, Sonia revealed that they travelled to few places in Imphal East, Thoubal, Kakching and Bishnupur, including Thangjing Temple at around midnight where they offered a prayer before heading back to Imphal West.

Imphal West SP further alleged that the police team wanted to verify whether they visited any of the containment zones in the five districts. However, Brinda and her two-travellers refused to disclose where they had travelled. They were let-off at around 2:40 am after paying a fine.

Additional SP Th Brinda, took to Facebook to question the government.

“From Yaiskul Janmasthan to Kakching to Sugnu to Kumbi to Airport Road National Highway No 102, we found vehicles freely plying throughout. Kakching District Police seem to have lots of information, intelligence and ‘secrets’ that they reported to Imphal West Control Room our vehicle violated curfew. Kakching is innocently not noticing the innumerable numbers of vehicles passing through its district tonight under curfew.”

“Is the land only for few? Who are the people?” she questioned.

“Initially, the police refused to identify themselves and explain the charges of our detention. We were cordoned by heavily armed policemen in uniform. A bulletproof vehicle with mike was used,” alleged Brinda.

Also Read: COVID-19: Manipur announces total lockdown for 14 days starting 2 pm tomorrow