IRS body demands action against Assam Rifles personnel in NE

An organisation of customs and central excise officers has demanded action against some personnel of paramilitary force Assam Rifles for their alleged highhandedness on a revenue officer.
The IRS Customs and Central Excise Association claimed that some Assam Rifles personnel had allegedly misbehaved with an Assistant Commissioner of Customs Department in Manipur last month and it took up the issue with the Home Ministry demanding action against the erring personnel and seeking a mechanism to check repeat of such incidents.
"We have given representation to MoS for Home Kiren Rijiju and brought to his notice the high-handed behaviour of Assam Rifles on a senior Customs official. We just want that this type of incident should not take place again and agencies should work in coordination with each other," IRS Association President Metta Rama Rao told PTI.

In April, personnel of Assam Rifles in Manipur had allegedly harassed a Customs officer who was on official duty.
The jawans stopped official vehicle of the Assistant Commissioner Gaikhonlung Panmei and allegedly interrogated him for almost an hour.
The IRS officer has alleged that he was frisked and searched thoroughly twice in public view, with threat of dire consequences if he didn't cooperate.
"We have asked for suitable departmental action against erring officials after enquiry. They (Assam Rifles) should not behave as if he (the IRS officer) is criminal. This type of small clashes should not disturb government functioning," Rao said.

He said the association has requested the minister to evolve suitable mechanism so that such incidents do not occur in future. "We all work for nation. Some of our officials have also been killed there while serving the nation," Rao said.