Addl SP detained for violating lockdown : IG

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Jul 28: Inspector General of Police K Jayanta today said that the police had temporarily detained MPS officer Th Brinda and two others for violating lockdown at Sangaiprou Lamkhai at midnight yesterday.
Responding to a statement Th Brinda posted on social media, the IGP late in the evening at SP Imphal West conference hall said the Police Department is not at all keeping a surveillance on the lady officer and there is not intention to target her.
The Department condemns such allegation by the lady officer on social media, he said.
The IG however, said that her (Th Brinda's) house has been under surveillance and her family members are aware of measures taken up by the State Home Department as her father-in-law had been a former leader of a banned outfit and had served time in jail.
He continued that movement of any unknown persons at their house is monitored as a part of safety and security measures to prevent any kind of unwanted incident.
Regarding the detention, a statement issued by the Superintendent of Imphal West said that on July 27 at about 10.20 pm, SP Kakching informed him that a while Verna Car was stopped for checking at Kakching near bazar by a police team. A lady occupant identified herself as an Additional SP and drove away before proper verification was conducted. So, the SP Kakching and her Control Room requested him (SP Imphal West) to alert all district boundaries. Then the control room and night duty officers of Imphal West were alerted at all checkpoints. At around 12.50 am of July 28, the vehicle was noticed at Sangaiprou area Imphal West under Lamphel PS by a night petrol team and women police.
When the women police tried to verify the car in view of strict lockdown measures, the occupants allegedly did not give cooperation. Three occupants were found inside the vehicle which had tinted glass. They allegedly refused to give details of their travel, purpose of travel etc and they showed 'hostile' attitude, alleged the statement adding additional police team was called in and after about an hour, the police team was allowed to check the vehicle.
The occupants were identified as Th Brinda, Phairembam Sonia and Huidrom Anil Singh.
The three allegedly did not disclose the places they travelled and the purpose of their travel properly. After much persuasion, Phairembam Sonia revealed that she and Brinda picked up Huidrom Anil at about 6 pm from his house in Wangkhei and drove towards Irilbung, Ngarian hill, Yairipok, Thoubal bazar, Khongjom, Kakching, Kakching Khunou, Wangoo Lamkhai, Kumbi, Moirang, Malom and then to Imphal West district from Nambol side. She further stated that they offered prayers at Thangjing Temple at around midnight. However, they didn't disclose where they went in between as they took considerable time to cover the distance. The objective of the inquiry was to verify if they had visited any person in the containment zones particularly in the five districts they visited, said the SP Imphal West.
The statement also asserted that Brinda also allegedly objected to the removal of tinted film from her vehicle. Finally a challan was issued to her and she left at around 2.30 am, claimed the statement.
The statement of the SP Imphal West then continued that Phairembam Sonia is wife of an ex-KYKL cadre who surrendered to the Government and is now serving in Police Department as a Havaldar.
The three occupants including Th Brinda had violated lockdown guidelines and allegedly obstructed the functioning of the frontline workers. Th Brinda freely roamed around five districts with her friends in a most irresponsible manner, said the SP and added that it is unfortunate that there are some people who justify such activities particularly in social media like Facebook and undermine the efforts of the Government and its agencies including the frontline workers.
Such negative approach will encourage the violators and discourage the agencies and frontline workers combating COVID-19, said the SP Imphal West in his statement.