Tension at Kimin after ITBP's rampage

Tension is still simmering at Kimin town since rampaging by the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) following a molestation charge against a jawan on October 20.

 

The attempt of an ITBP jawan to molest two students at Kimin on Saturday snowballed into a major trouble, resulting in general protest and the ITBP personnel of 10th battalion going on a rampage, leaving at least eight injured, two of them seriously.

 

Papum Pare's Superintendent of Police Hibu Tamang, along with local administration, had brought the situation under control after negotiations with the people, who blocked the inter-state highway for about 11 hours on the following day to protest the incident.

 

Condemning

the act of getting shops opened and attacking shopkeepers at late evening by the ITBP jawans, a senior citizen while admitting that the ITBP was provoked at the trespassing into its camp, said that did not mean a disciplined force guarding the eastern frontier could go on a rampage in a civilian area, hurting unarmed people and damaging their properties.

 

All Nyishi Students' Union (ANSU) general secretary Gyamar Rai, who was present during the negotiation, said the ITBP commandant was to submit a list of 40 personnel involved in the rampage to the local extra assistant commissioner (EAC) court in 24 hours for initiating legal action.

 

However, the commandant was free to initiate departmental action against those found guilty of misconduct within their camp.

 

When contacted, official sources at Kimin informed that the assistant commandant of ITBP's 31 battalion, Devendra Kumar, appointed as presiding officer of the inquiry team, yesterday sought a week's time to submit the list.

 

The snapped power supply to the ITBP camp was restored and all sections were urged to maintain peace and tranquility to facilitate action against the guilty, sources added.