Assam Rifles Major abuses IRS Officer - Association protests

By Vijay Kumar

IT seems, on 27.04.2015 at around 10 am, Mr.Gaikhonlung Panmei, Assistant Commissioner of Customs was on official surveillance duty when he was intercepted at a check-post between TujangVaichong and Chawang Kining (near Kangpokpi) by a team of 25AR led by Maj Vinod Singh (IC 70040). Mr.Gaikhonlung Panmei displayed his Identity Card to Maj Vinod and his vehicle displayed his official designation. Notwithstanding, Mr.Panmei was detained, poked with cocked rifle, frisked thoroughly twice, and thereafter interrogated for almost an hour. His vehicle was also rummaged (virtually stripped down) twice over, in spite of Mr.Panmei's exhortations to Maj Vinod to recognize his credentials and allow him to carry his work. After the incident, Mr.Panmei was also asked to sign certain papers and declarations.

Mr.Panmei's appeals fell on deaf ears and the 25AR men only got more adamant and got on with their frisking and rummaging. Maj Vinod used abusive language and threatened to arrest Mr.Panmei if he did not shut himself up and co-operate. Maj Vinod also made derogatory references to Customs Department as a whole and Mr.Panmei in particular. Mr Panmei has reported this incident to his departmental superiors and other senior functionaries of Assam Rifles and State government.

Mr.Metta Rama Rao, President of the IRS Association met the MoS, Home and submitted a representation placing on record, "its most serious objection to the manner in which the 25AR men under, and including, Maj Vinod conducted themselves with Mr.Gaikhonlung Panmei on 27.04.2015. You would appreciate that Mr.Panmei was as much on official duty as was Maj Vinod and his men were. The acts of Maj Vinod and his men have demoralizing effect on young officers of our service. Hence it is requested that you may kindly take cognizance of the matter and appropriate action be initiated to deter such behaviour by men in uniform ."The Association further submitted, "It is in the best interests of both organizations that a co-operative and coordinated approach be adopted so that they play their respective roles properly in the service of the nation. Hence you are requested to kindly direct the senior officers concerned in the North East to review the efficacy of the existing institutional mechanisms or create new mechanisms to sustain and enhance close cooperation and coordination among various agencies working there."