IMPHAL: Five cops, including the officer in-charge of the Nongpok Sekmai Police Station in Thoubal district, Manipur, were suspended in connection with the horrific video that sparked nation-wide outrage, on August 6.
The policemen were relieved of duty for lapse in controlling a mob that stripped and paraded two tribal women in Kangpokpi district on May 4.
Earlier on July 31, a group of protesters, mostly women, had besieged and locked the Nongpok Sekmai Police Station demanding reinstatement of the policemen. But, despite the daily demonstration staged by certain sections of the people, the suspension was not reversed.
Meanwhile, the administration has decided to relax curfew in West Imphal from tomorrow. Reports in local media inform that the restriction will be relieved from 5 am to 12pm.
For the last two days Imphal East and West were under daytime curfew after a policeperson was killed and 17 persons were injured in separate clashes on August 3. The officer was reportedly shot in the head by a snipper during a fierce gun battle in Senjam Chirang. In the clash, a village volunteer also suffered injuries as recounted by the authorities.
The clashes had erupted hours after the Indigenous Tribal Leaders’ Forum (ITLF) had postponed a planned mass burial of 35 victims in the violence for five days after discussions with the Union Home Ministry. The district magistrates of both East and the West Imphal had reimposed the restrictions during the day as a precautionary measure.
