Sunday, March 5 2006 16:16 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Imphal: Following widespread protest by several social organisations against some policemen for allegedly molesting a woman for days in their custody, five Manipur Police commandos were suspended from services, official sources said today (Mar 05 2006).

School teacher M Naobi, a friend of a killed insurgent named Bikash, was arrested on February 21 after she had attended funeral of Bikash and was in their custody for nine days during which she was allegedly tortured and molested, the sources said.

The decision to suspend the commandos was taken during a cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh.

Naobi had told local media on March 2 that she remained unconscious for some days and did not know whether she had been raped or not. She had claimed that she was molested for days by commandos. A medical examination had been conducted on her and its report was not yet disclosed by authorities.

The suspended commandos, all belonging to Thoubal district police station, were assistant sub-inspector L Chaoba, constables M Nazir, Kh Joshep, Y.Punshi Singh and A Noren Singh.