The five arrested leaders of the All Tribal Students’ Union Manipur (ATSUM) was remanded in 15-day judicial custody by the Chief Judicial Magistrate, Imphal West on Saturday.
The development comes even as massive protests erupted in different parts of Manipur demanding unconditional release of the five ATSUM arrested leaders.
Notably, the counsels of the accused did not object to the prayer for judicial custody when they were produced before the court on completion of four-day police remand.
Also Read: Arrested ATSUM members remanded in four-day custody
The ATSUM leaders who have been sent to judicial custody are Paotinthang Lupheng, 45, son of Paohao Lupheng of Khomunnom village, Churachandpur; Andria Sinruwang, 36, son of SR Ngamdil of Unopat village, Chandel district; Khaiminlen Doungel, 35, son of Douthang Doungel of Hengjang Leimakhong, Kangpokpi district; Marankhai Awungshi, 31, son of AS Wungkato of Tashar Village, Ukhrul, presently staying at Nagaram Imphal and John H. Pulamte, 51, son of late Lalthlunglien of Rengkai, Churachandpur district, presently staying at Zone III, National Game Village, Imphal West district.
During the hearing, the APP and the IO submitted that the shutdown or bandh in the hill areas notified by the ATSUM has taken an ugly turn as they have resorted to economic blockade and adopting violence as means of protest.
Also Read: Indefinite economic blockade in Manipur hill areas; hundreds of heavy vehicles stranded on NH-2
It was further pointed out that associates of the accused set ablaze the DTO office of Churachandpur and a police vehicle belonging to Ukhrul police and vandalised government properties.
In such a serious situation, it was submitted that it is highly required to arrest other associates of the accused persons in the present case and remand the accused to judicial custody to prevent the other associates/ organisations from indulging in illegal activities in the future.
The IO prayed for taking them into judicial remand for a period of 15 days from August 6 to 20 so as to complete the investigation.
Heingang Police Station also sought permission of the judge for formal arrest of the five accused in connection with another FIR registered against the accused for the same offences of obstructing movement of vehicles and causing hardships to the people by imposing bandh/ economic blockade.
The court observed that multiple FIRs cannot be registered for the same offences against the same accused and rejected the permission for formal arrest. The court however opined that the police can go ahead with necessary investigation without arresting them.
