Imphal, Dec 5: AT what could be termed as a revelation of the irregularities being going on Banks in Imphal in the aftermath of the Demonetization of Rs. 500 and Rs. 1000 denominations, a state journalist who captured the scene of some security personnel breaking the queue through his camera lens was beaten blues and black by the security persons. Surprisingly some of the bank staffs also reportedly assisted the police team in assaulting the journalist who was on duty.
The incident happened at the United Bank of India (UBI) located at MG Avenue. The journalist identified as B Rakesh Sharma, a reporter in Imphal Free Press was taking the picture of how the security personnel were crossing the queue in favour of a person without respecting the consumers who were waiting in line. Rakesh was allegedly called by the security personnel inside the bank and manhandled by punching at his face. Surprisingly some of the UBI staffs encourage the police personnel using abusive words to the reporter instead of intervening the police excess.
Following the assault and humiliation to state journalist who were on duty, Standing committee members of the All Manipur Working Journalists’ Union (AMWJU) today convened an emergency meeting and resolved to consider the matter as a serious one. The AMWJU after discussing the matter demanded immediate punishment to the police personnel who had assaulted the reporters.
The AMWJU also denounced the staffs of the United Bank of India (UBI) staffs for allowing such irregularities in their bank when people in the state are facing extreme hardship in the backdrop of the demonetization.
Report said that those security personnel who assaulted the reporter were taken into custody by a team of city police led by OC Sudhir. The three security personnel identified as Md. Nashir Khan, Th Riyaj Khan and Md Hakim were put at lock –up to precede further legal action.
The three tenders apology to the AMWJU in the afternoon under the initiative of City Police OC Sudhir. AMWJU President W Shyamjai appreciated the immediate response of the city police OC but demanded legal action to the three police personnel.
