IT News
Imphal, Feb 28:
Imphal witnessed another shooting yesterday evening, with an additional superintendent of police becoming the target of the attack. According to PTI, M. Amit, the additional superintendent of police (operations), was assaulted and abducted by unknown armed miscreants, suspected to be affiliated with an armed militia group, outside his residence. A police source added that during the altercation, an AK47 was seized from an inspector-rank officer who was accompanying the superintendent, and the Superintendent’s driver was also assaulted. However, a police team, under the leadership of senior officers, successfully rescued M. Amit in a two-hour-long operation.
As per police sources, the attack on the officer’s residence was orchestrated to pressure the police into releasing several armed individuals associated with the armed militia group, who had been detained earlier that Tuesday morning. Earlier, Manipur Police had pursued and apprehended some armed individuals accused of vehicle theft. Subsequently, a mob staged a protest outside the residence of the police officer, demanding their release. Later, members of the militia group arrived in vehicles and joined forces with the women protesters. Finally, after physically assaulting M Amit at his residence, they abducted him.
Regarding this incident, Manipur security adviser Kuldiep Singh IPS (retd) told ThePrint that the officer, who sustained injuries, has been rescued, and a case has been registered in this regard. He stated, “armed miscreants attacked the house of the officer and abducted him. Soon after, a specialized police team led by senior officers swung into action and carried out raids across the district and managed to rescue him. The officer is injured but he is doing fine. We are carrying out raids to nab the accused involved.”
However, Manipur police officials are presenting a different narrative. The commandos are upset they were allegedly told not to respond with effective fire at the armed group, whose members also kidnapped a senior police officer and his security guard. A section of Manipur Police commandos have started an arms down protest at Imphal West Police Commando complex near Minuthong, over allegations that senior officers asked them to restrain themselves after some 200 members of an armed group shot at and vandalized the house of a senior police officer in the state capital Imphal on Tuesday night.
Around noon, Manipur Police Commando personnel of Imphal East, Thoubal, Bishnupur and Kakching district joint the armed down protest.
As of now, no statement from the government has been released to either deny or confirm the involvement of members of armed militia groups. The group itself has not confirmed or denied their involvement.
If Manipur Police is indeed restrained from acting against armed miscreants, it raises serious concerns about their ability to function effectively. The force has already faced criticism for its involvement in extrajudicial killings and incompetence in protecting lives and livelihoods, particularly in hill districts where armed groups hold sway. Now, it appears that Manipur police have been restrained in the valley, as per their own admission.
