Manipur cop Thounaojam Brinda detained for flouting lockdown protocols

Thounaojam Brinda, Additional superintendent of police, who courted controversy for accusing Manipur chief minister of foiling an investigation against a former BJP functionary alleged to be involved in drug smuggling, and two others were detained by Imphal police for allegedly flouting the lockdown protocols in Sangaiprou area in Imphal West district, Manipur on July 27^th, 2020 night.

Brinda made the allegations against the CM in an affidavit to the court which had initiated contempt proceedings.

The contempt charges were related to Brinda’s Facebook post, where she had allegedly questioned a special court’s decision to grant bail to the BJP functionary. Brinda is also accused of showing her middle finger to the judge – a charge she has denied in her affidavit.

On July 29^th 2020, Inspector General of Police in Imphal K Jayanta said that the police were not surveilling Brinda and that there was no intention to target her. He was responding to Facebook posts Brinda had made after the detention.

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“Me, Sonia Phairembam and Tenao have been detained since 12.40 am at Kwakeithel FCI Crossing by Imphal West Police on the charge of violating curfew according to a report from Kakching Control Room,” Brinda had written on Facebook on Tuesday. “My husband agreed to pay the fine for curfew violation and let us women off as it is night but they have refused. Police are saying Lamphel Police is coming to arrest me. We are completely surrounded by armed policemen in uniform,” she added.

She further alleged in the post that the police had refused to explain the charges for their detention, taken their statements, photographs and let off two hours later. Brinda also claimed to have been on a “drug trail” in a separate post.

Imphal West district Superintendent of Police K Meghachandra, in a statement, said that a female occupant of the car carrying Brinda had identified herself as the additional superintendent of police. However, an alert was raised after the vehicle drove away before appropriate verification.

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