The All Manipur Working Journalists’ Union (AMWJU)
demanded the arrest of the havildar of the Indian Reserve Battalion,
Mujibur Rahman, who is accused of assaulting Chaoba Aribam, a senior
reporter of English newspaper Imphal Free Press.
AMJWU
president Wangkhemcha Shyamjai said Mr. Rahman was charged with
bailable provisions of the IPC which meant that Mr. Rahman would
threaten Mr. Aribam, once he would be released on bail. He demanded Mr.
Aribam’s protection as he was susceptible to fresh threats.
He further said Mr. Rahman should be tried under the Arms Act.
Though
the AMWJU welcomes the registration of an FIR, it was not pleased with
the inordinate delay in arresting Mr. Rahman. Minister Abdul Nasir
clarified that he was not related to Mr. Rahman in any manner. Reports
said when the bleeding reporter identified himself as a reporter who was
returning home after duty at 11.30 on Monday night, Mr. Rahman claimed
that he was the Minister’s brother and nothing could be done against
him.
Mr. Aribam said he was asked to lie down on the dusty road.
When he declined, Mr. Rahman reportedly hit him in the forehead with the radio set which required four stitches.
Though he was bleeding profusely, Mr. Rahman detained him for 45 minutes.
A
passing patrol party came there and rushed Mr. Aribam to a private
hospital. Mr. Rahman threatened to gun down Mr. Aribam if he dared to
lodge a complaint.
Home Minister Gaikhangam Gangmei
did not explain why Mr. Rahman was not arrested. The AMWJU is likely to
launch agitations if the government goes ahead with covering up the
incident.
