An officer of the Manipur Police Department has been suspended for an alleged assault on a journalist during a protest on Thursday.
Taking prompt action on the issue, which sparked widespread condemnation from the journalist fraternity of the state and the public, the government on Saturday suspended the accused police officer identified as SI Sh Nikhil Singh of CDO/IE.
The latest order issued by Superintendent of Police, Imphal East District, K Meghachandra Singh, informed that the police officer has been suspended with immediate effect and until further order.
The statement said that the move was taken for his grave misconduct which is not expected from a member of disciplined force like Police Department. It also mentioned that a disciplinary proceeding is being contemplated against him for the same.
ALSO READ: Manipur Crisis: Relief camp inmates tear-gassed
It further ordered that during the period of suspension, the headquarter of SI Sh Nikhil Singh will be Reserve Line, Porompat and he will not leave his headquarter without obtaining the prior permission of the SP, Imphal East.
He will be entitled subsistence allowances as admissible under rules during the period of his suspension, it maintained. The order is issued in exercise of the powers conferred under Rule No 66 of Assam Police Manual Part-3, it added.
Condemning the incident of police brutality towards on duty journalists, All Manipur Working Journalists Union (AMWJU) and Editors Guild Manipur (EGM) had submitted a memorandum to the chief minister to take suitable action against the erring police officer.
In an extended meeting on Saturday of AMWJU and EGM, it was decided to organise a sit-in-protest from 11 am to 2 pm on Sunday followed by actions like leaving the editorials blank and boycott of government press releases.
ALSO READ: AWMJU, EGM condemn assault on journalist
