MHRC inspects police stations

IMPHAL, Apr 29: Today, Justice UB Saha, Chairperson of Manipur Human Rights Commission (MHRC) accompanied by Member KK Singh paid surprise visits at several police stations located under Imphal West, Thoubal and Kakching district.
The MHRC team inspected police lockups of Singjamei, Lilong, Pallel, Thoubal and Women Police Station Thoubal and it was found that the rooms were either too dark or without attached latrines. Surprisingly, Women Police Station Thoubal was found having only one latrine attached to the police lockup. The team also inspected police diaries and found them poorly maintained, said a statement of the MHRC. In one police station, all the personnel were found not wear uniforms even during their duties hour. An accused person detained in connection with a theft case was found arrested without following prescribed procedure established by law and when the MHRC team asked for arrest memo, one of the investigation officers told that he would prepare it at the time of producing the accused before the Magistrate. While visiting Pallel police station, the MHRC team was told that the police station has not been authorised to register any FIR. On further enquiry, one police officer on duty informed that any complaint that the station receive are forwarded either to Kakching PS or PS belonging to Tengnoupal district.  Some of the police officers who do not want to reveal their names appreciated the MHRC team and they expressed hope that the MHRC would also take up human rights issues of the police personnel.