Police crackdown on MSF; secretary held with relatives, homes ransacked

IMPHAL, April 29: Close on the heels of Chief Minister sounding a stern warning against the agitating MSF members, police started cracking down on the student body today and arrested its publicity secretary, Y Nando this morning. The police also arrested four others including Nando's elder sister and two brothers. MSF general secretary, H Ashirjit's father H Ito Singh (55) was also picked up by the police from his residence at Khurai Chingangbam Leikai. Sources said the MSF publicity secretary was arrested from his house at Ucheckon Takhok Mapan today at about 8 am by a police team. The police personnel also reportedly ransacked the house of the MSF leader and threw a bed into the river. Family members informed media persons that shortly after Nando came home today at about 8 am the police team came and after cordoning off the house arrested Nando. Thereafter some of the police personnel entered and started ransacking the house. Clothes, looms and other belongings were hurled outside the house. The police then arrested Nando's brothers and sister. One person who had to come to meet Nando's brother was also arrested, said family members. Meanwhile, family members of Ashirjit informed the press the police team came in about 14/15 vehicles and after cordoning off the house of Ashirjit proceeded to search the house. The police personnel then systematically threw out all the belongings of the family including clothes and sofa sets. Tables, chairs and bed kept at the room of the younger brother of Ashirjit were destroyed by the policemen, they said. Since Ashirjit was not at home at the moment, the police picked up his 55 year old father. Meanwhile Manipuri Students Federation, Lilong Branch and Lilong Higher Secondary Madrassa Students Union have demanded release of the MSF leaders arrested by the police.