New Delhi: Hundreds of Manipur commandos, posted across five valley districts of Imphal, laid down their arms in protest against the “attacks on police” expressing dissatisfaction with the government’s “insistence on exercising restraint” and “not giving them a free hand in performing their duties”, ThePrint has learnt.
The move comes a day after Additional Superintendent of Police (operations) M. Amit posted in Manipur’s Imphal (West) was thrashed and abducted by “unknown armed miscreants” — suspected to be from the radical Meitei group, Arambai Tenggol — from outside his home. An AK47 was also snatched from an inspector-rank officer with the SP and his driver’s nose was also broken by the crowd.
The officer was, however, rescued by a police team at the end of a two-hour-long operation.
Following this incident, the commandos demanded a crackdown on the activities of the Arambai Tenggol and strict action against the perpetrators for Tuesday’s attack on the police force.
“The commandos are blaming the state for shielding the Arambai Tenggol and are demanding a free hand to perform their duties. They are complaining of being powerless while facing an attack from the armed group and miscreants,” a source in the security establishment said.
Senior police officers are now holding a meeting with the commandos to “diffuse the tension”, the source said.
“Additional SP Amit Moirangthem comes from a well-respected family of doctors from the state and an attack on him has become a trigger of this protest within the force. A meeting is on and the senior officers are speaking with the commandos,” the source said.
According to the source, the security agencies are now in favour of re-implementation of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) in the valley.
“We are unable to carry out most operations as we are restricted since areas in the valley are not classified ‘disturbed areas’ since the lifting of the AFSPA there. Most attacks are being launched by Meitei insurgent groups from denotified areas that are no longer considered disturbed,” the source said. “If this is not implemented again, the situation will not get better.”
Of the 92 police stations in Manipur, the AFSPA has been removed from 19 stations across seven districts. The disturbed area declaration under the AFSPA was in effect since 2004, but in April 2022, the notification was lifted from 15 police stations due to improvements in law and order.
ThePrint contacted Manipur security adviser Kuldiep Singh for a comment, but he was not reachable. This report will be updated as and when a response is received.
On Tuesday evening, the house of the Imphal West Additional Superintendent of Police was attacked and the officer was abducted allegedly to put pressure on the police to release a few armed Arambai Tenggol members who were arrested in the morning.
According to the source, the Manipur Police had chased and arrested these Arambai Tenggol members who allegedly stole private vehicles. Following their arrest, a group of Meira Paibis (Meitei women volunteers) blocked roads and carried out a protest outside the police station asking for their release, the source added.
Around 6:30 pm, scores of women gathered outside the house of the additional SP and attacked his house. Members of the Arambai Tenggol also came in cars and allegedly joined the women.
The SP was then overpowered by a crowd, thrashed, bundled up in a car and taken away. Even his commandos were overpowered, sources had told ThePrint.
The Arambai Tenggol faces many allegations of violence, looting and arson attacks on churches, amid the ongoing ethnic conflict in Manipur involving the Meiteis and the Kukis.
According to the sources, the Arambai Tenggol was founded in 2020 as a cultural body, but soon transformed into a radical armed outfit.
The wave of violence unleashed since May last year has claimed over 200 lives, displaced thousands, and even sparked fears of ethnic cleansing.
(Edited by Tony Rai)
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