Police accused

IMPHAL, May 10: An individual identified as one  Thoudam Martin of Lamboikhongnangkhong, has alleged that police are trying to turn him into a scapegoat and pin the death of an accident victim on him just because he found the said victim lying on the road side and took him to the hospital.
Speaking to media persons at Lamboikhongnangkhong today, Martin said that in the intervening night of April 8 and 9, an accident occurred at Lamboikhongnangkhong Maning Leikai, along Uripok Kangchup road, and an individual identified as one Ayekpam Bedajit sustained grievous injuries.
Martin narrated that on that day, he had gone to visit some friends at Yumnam Leikai and when he returned home, he saw that a crowd had gathered at the accident site.
He stated that he asked two individuals who were standing near the accident victim (Bedajit) whether they knew the identity of the victim but they denied any knowledge.
Martin continued that he, along with the two individuals, carried the victim to the hospital, but after some time, the victim succumbed to his injuries.
He then alleged that he was summoned to Lamphel PS on the charge that he had struck the victim (now deceased) with his vehicle and he was also accused of trying to act righteous after he had caused the accident.
Strongly condemning such harassment, Thatin added that one of the locals, Kangjam Ratankumar, was also wrongfully accused of beating and killing the victim and then disposing the corpse at the roadside to make the crime look like an accident.
He then informed that when he was summoned to the police station yesterday, some women claiming to be members of the JAC formed in connection with the death of the victim, accused him of being involved in the death of the victim.
Thatin said that while he was being interrogated by the police, some of the said women were also present as well and added that he was beaten mercilessly after being blindfolded.
Alleging that the police are trying to frame him in the death case, Martin strongly condemned the inhumane and unethical acts meted out to him.
On the other hand, secretary of Lamboikhongnangkhong Apunba Nupi Lup, Y Chitra also condemned the act of the police and added that if people who try to help accident victims are treated in such manners, then a day will come when everyone will become hesitant to offer help in such situations.