Imphal: Manipur Police arrested two members of the Meitei radical group, Arambai Tenggol, “who were involved in the abduction and physical assault” of four police personnel Saturday, the police confirmed over a statement released on ‘X’ (formerly Twitter) Monday.
The crackdown on Sunday afternoon came just five hours after Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh, addressing the media at the state secretariat, announced that an FIR was lodged in the matter and necessary action would be initiated.
“A case has been filed at the Sekmai Police Station under Imphal West District, and we are investigating the incident — all miscreants found involved in such activities will be booked as per the law,” said the CM.
Subsequently, Manipur Police made public the arrest of the Arambai Tenggol members — Taibanganba Sanoujam (25) of Heingang Makha Leikai in Imphal East district and Moirangthem Bobo (40) of Thengra Leirak in Churachandpur district — found involved in the alleged abduction and assault of police personnel.
On 12.05.2024, Manipur Police arrested 02 (two) miscreants belonging to Arambai Tenggol who were involved in the abduction and physical assault of 4 (four) Manipur Police Personnel on 11.05.2024. The arrested individuals have been identified as:
i.Taibanganba Sanoujam(25 yrs)…
— Manipur Police (@manipur_police) May 13, 2024
Efforts are on to trace and arrest the other accused in the incident, the police added.
Earlier Saturday, four police personnel on duty were waylaid and abducted while returning from Imphal to the Kangpokpi police station. The incident occurred at 12.40 pm at Koirengei in Imphal East along National Highway-2, police sources told ThePrint.
They were blindfolded, dragged towards the jungle by armed men, and beaten up, the sources added.
The four police personnel — all stationed at the Kangpokpi police station — were released later in the day at Khonghampat area in Imphal West. Of the four, three are from the Nepali community while another is a Muslim, the police sources said.
Subsequently, the Committee on Tribal Unity (CoTU), a civil society organisation representing the Kuki-Zo community, declared a 24-hour ‘total shutdown’ in the entire Sadar Hills Kangpokpi district from Saturday midnight onwards.
All shops and business establishments in Kangpokpi town and other parts of the district remained closed for the day. The demonstrators were seen blocking NH-2, restricting the movement of vehicles except those exempted from the purview of the shutdown.
The incident has again intensified the clamour for the reimposition of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) in the valley areas.
Meanwhile, the Kuki Students’ Organisation (KSO) Sadar Hills strongly condemned the act, pointing out that the state authorities have failed to protect the community. It also questioned the central government’s silence and inaction against the Arambai Tenggol.
“The KSO-Sadar Hills would like to make it clear that if adequate steps are not taken by the state and Union governments against this outlaw organisation (Arambai Tenggol) that comprises habitual offenders, the steps taken by KSO-Sadar Hills will be the sole responsibility of the government,” the student body said in a statement.
The Kangpokpi District Village Defence Force (VDF) Welfare Association also expressed concern and condemned the targeting of police personnel, who, they said, have no affiliation with any of the rival communities.
(Edited by Richa Mishra)
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