Imphal:    A press conference convened at the Office Chamber of the Superintendent, Manipur Central Jail, addressed allegations of misconduct and mistreatment leveled against the jail authorities by the founder of the India for Myanmar advocacy group. Sorokhaibam Bhadrika, Superintendent of Manipur Central Jail, emphatically refuted the accusations made during a recent telephonic interview with ‘The Wire’.

He stated that the allegations were “completely fabricated and false.” He clarified that the ongoing hunger strike by detainees at the jail was not related to the accusations cited in the interview. Rather, the detainees were demanding release from custody.

He explained that the detainees in question were penalized under Section 14 of the Foreigners Act and that their release depended on clarification from the Myanmar Embassy for possible deportation back to Myanmar. Responding to demands that they be released in Moreh rather than Myanmar, Bhadrika noted that such decisions fell under the policy of the Government of Manipur, beyond the jurisdiction of the Manipur Central Jail authority.

Regarding allegations of financial misconduct, specifically the claim of accepting Rs 50,000 from the detainees, Bhadrika stated unequivocally that no such transactions were recorded by the jail authorities. He speculated that any such sums might have been disbursed to legal representatives for counseling purposes, a matter outside the jail’s purview.

Bhadrika also emphasized that the detainees were being cared for according to established protocols, including provision of uncontaminated water amidst scarcity in the state, and access to communication with their families, including video calls. He condemned the allegations as misleading and damaging to the reputation of the prison authorities.

Officials and staff of the Manipur Central Jail were also present at the press conference.