Imphal, March 15 (NNN): Two advocates were allegedly assaulted physically on Sunday night by the Indian Reserve Battalion (IRB) personnel at the gate of Manipur University, Canchipur in Imphal. The IRB personnel were reportedly on their duty.
Meanwhile, the normal court work was affected on Monday following a complaint by the two victim-advocates to the High Court Bar Association, Manipur. An emergency general body meeting was held Monday at High Court in this connection. The bars association has demanded to punish the guilty IRB personnel. The bars association stated that under section 23, 1881 paramount duty of the police any security force personnel cannot assault the public and further demanded to punish the guilty IRB personnel.
The two advocates have been identified as Ngangom Jotindra Luwang (37) s/o Ng Merajao of Langpok under Nambol, police station and Hawaijam Samarjit (37) s/o H. Kumar of Bashikhong. Ngangom Jotindra Luwang sustained injuries in his legs, shoulders and back while Hawaijam Samarjit sustained injuries on his back and chin.
Talking to media persons, Samarjit stated that the incident took place when three of them (Samarjit, Jotindro and Kanta) were returning from his place to drop Jotindra in a Maruti car. They parked the car near the Manipur University gate and started seeking permission from the IRB personnel to let them go into the university campus as it would be a short distance for Jotindro’s place and stated that they were government employees at High Court as junior government employees of home department. On hearing this, the IRB personnel reportedly raised their voice and stated that they (IRB personnel) too are also the employees of the home department, added Samarjit
On seeing the temperament of the IRB personnel, Jotindro apologized the IRB personnel in English. The IRB personnel were apparently irritated and on hearing the English language and they seized Samarjit’s identity card, informed Samarjit. Meanwhile, the commander (aged about 50 years) of the IRB came out of a Gypsy jeep and ordered the personnel to detain the duo and later ordered them to beat them up. The advocates were then taken to another Gypsy jeep led by one assistant sub inspector (ASI) of Kakwa.
They were however released after the two advocates were made to sign on a blank paper, revealed Samarjit. A complaint has been lodged to the concerned O.C.A copy has reportedly been submitted to the High Court, director general of police (DGP) and other high officials.

NNN