Inmates of S Kula Women’s College, Nambol quarantine centre in Manipur were sent to jail for violating rules inside the quarantine centre, police said on Friday.
The police said a confrontation occurred on Thursday night between six inmates and volunteers of S Kula Womens’ College quarantine centre. During the confrontation, one inmate suffered head injury. For violating the rules to be followed inside the quarantine centre, the Nambol Police filed a case against the six inmates.
Subsequently, a regular case under FIR No 33(6) 2020 nbl ps u/s 307/143/144/188/188 IPC n 3(2)(a) PDPP Act and 51(b) Disaster management Act 2005 was registered on the strength of the complaint filed by SDO Nambol and as such the investigation is on.
During investigation, the individuals who were involved as well as acquainted with the real facts of the crime were arrested from the quarantine centre of SK Women's College, Nambol.
The arrested inmates have been identified as Philem Suranjoy, 25, son of Ph Inaocha of Moirang Philem Keikai; Wahengbam Jamson, 23, son of W Biramangol Singh of Kakyai Makha Leikai; Thiyam Indrajit Singh, 30, son of Th Chaoba Singh of Bishnupur Ward No IX; Kongjengbam Ngamba ,25, son of K Rajen Singh of Moirang Panshang Leikai; Sashi khagembam, 26, son of Kh Sudama of Kumbi and Salam Johny Singh, 28, son of Raghu Singh of Moirang Khuman Leikai.
They were produced before the court of JMFC Bishnupur and remanded into judicial custody for 15 days/ jail quarantine.
Recently, Chief Minister N Biren said during an occasion that the inmates who fail to follow protocols of the quarantine centre will be jailed under violation of the Disaster Management Act.
One of the volunteers, Th Lamjingba in a video, said that a total of 134 inmates are staying at the said centre. To provide them dinner, 195 meals were arranged and they were provided as usual. He narrated that the inmates who were involved in the incident had already taken their meals. However, one inmate later came out and asked for dinner. He said they were suspicious that the inmate came out asking for meals after taking intoxicants inside their rooms.
Lamjingba said that when the inmate was reminded that they had been already provided meals, he asked him to provide them liquor. As it was beyond the rules of the centre, he raised his voice against the inmate; he further said, adding that the inmate used abusive words against him in response and went back inside.
The said inmate along with five others came out and started attacking the volunteers and some confrontation took place, he stated. To defend themselves, the volunteers ran towards the gate seeking the attention of the police personnel who were deputed at the gate. But one of the inmates uploaded a video putting out wrong information that the volunteers beat inmates when they asked to provide meals, he added.
Lamjingba asserted that the video was uploaded with the wrong information alleging the volunteers of beating the inmates for irrelevant reasons. He said that the inmates have not been maintaining any physical distance among themselves and one of them would usually come out to collect meals for the rest.
Meanwhile, MLA, Nambol Assembly constituency visited the centre on Friday. He reminded the volunteers that they are staying at a quarantine centre and not coming to enjoy a picnic party. The quarantine centre is allocated after considering the issues of stranded people, he said.
He informed the inmates that if protocols are violated and intoxicants are used inside the centre, then action will be taken against them. He expressed that FIRs should be registered against the inmates involved in the incident and they should be jailed.
Recently, similar incidents had occurred at Waikhom Mani Women’s College where inmates violated rules of the quarantine centre. Some inmates of a community quarantine centre in Churachandpur district were also found violating protocols. The inmates involved in both separate incidents apologized to the chief minister. Moreover, on the Facebook page of the chief minister, he posted that one of the quarantine centers in Kangpokpi has violated quarantine protocols and stated that the government will not tolerate it if protocols are violated.
Meanwhile, one Laishram Kishan, 23, son of L Leishang of Samram Mamang Leikai was arrested for trying to deliver Heroin No 4 inside a quarantine centre located at Kodompokpi quarantine centre. The said drug was detected by Anti Covid Committee of the centre and on further verification; Kishan said the drug was to be delivered to one inmate identified as Soibam Prem, 27, son of S Ibomcha.
