New Delhi: Over 1,000 police personnel, including commandos and senior officers from the rank of Superintendent of Police and above, conducted a five-hour “area dominating exercise” Wednesday night across the Imphal valley to convey that “any attack on anyone will be taken seriously” and “stringent action will be taken against miscreants”.
The message was for the radical Meitei outfit Arambai Tenggol, that allegedly abducted and assaulted the Additional SP (Operations), Moirangthem Amit Singh, posted in Imphal West on Tuesday, according to a senior officer of the Manipur Police.
Besides that Arambai Tenggol has been engaging in “anti-social activities like assaulting civilians, snatching of vehicles from public and government officials and indulging in extortion from the common public and business men,” the Manipur Police said in a statement.
According to the police, members of the Arambai Tenggol, intimidated the family of the officer by firing bullets, besides vandalising houses and properties. An AK47 was also snatched from an inspector-rank officer with the SP and his driver’s nose was also broken by the crowd.
This, the police officer said, is “unacceptable”.
“The Addl. SP was abducted, beaten and later released after timely intervention by the department. The Manipur Police Department highly condemns the incident of life attempt on the officer and other police officers and men,” the police statement added.
Following the assault of the Additional SP, hundreds of Manipur commandos, posted across five valley districts of Imphal, laid down their arms Wednesday in protest against the “attacks on police” as well as over dissatisfaction with the government’s “insistence on exercising restraint” and “not giving them a free hand in performing their duties”. The commandos had also demanded strict action against the members of the Arambai Tenggol.
“This area domination exercise was essential to convey to the public that the police force stands united against these miscreants who will be brought to book. The Meira Paibis (women volunteers), who have always tried to hinder operations and also tried to stop the police, were also dispersed,” the above-mentioned officer said.
“The officers who have been assaulted, have worked tirelessly to bring the law and order under control in the state, and an attack on the force will not be taken lightly.”
On Tuesday evening, the house of the Imphal West Additional Superintendent of Police was attacked. The officer was then abducted allegedly to put pressure on the police to release some armed Arambai Tenggol members who were arrested in an operation led by him. These Arambai Tenggol members had allegedly stolen private vehicles.
Following the arrests, a group of Meira Paibis blocked roads and carried out a protest outside the local police station asking for their release. 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 senior police officer was then overpowered by a crowd, thrashed, bundled up in a car and taken away. Even his commandos were overpowered.
“The police department has been putting all out efforts to ensure law and order in the state, and the department appeals to the general public for extending cooperation to the police department. The public is requested to refrain from rumour mongering and circulating fake news,” the police statement said.
‘False support, rumour mongering’
Referring to the Arambai Tenggol, the Manipur Police said that the organisation is garnering false support from the public in the garb of protecting the public but they are committing many anti-social activities and criminal acts.
“Public must not be misled and give co-operation to Manipur Police in bringing peace and tranquility back to the State,” the statement said further. “Further, Manipur Police is also a neutral force and not acting against any community or in favour of one. Use of social media to target any officer or unit will be strongly dealt with by taking up cases and action.”
The police team is united from “top to bottom” and with Manipur Police being targeted, the need for calling in army and other central forces will have to be enhanced, it said.
“Combing operations will continue in the days to come, and no one responsible for such criminal activities will be spared. People should co-operate in police work,” the statement asserted.
(Edited by Tony Rai)
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