Manipur Police accuse radical outfit of extortion, assault
In the first official confirmation of the havoc being caused by a radical Meitei group, the Manipur Police on Thursday said that Arambai Tenggol was engaged in many “antisocial activities”, such as assaulting civilians, snatching vehicles from public and government officials, and extortion from businessmen.
The group, which enjoys the support of the Meitei people in the valley areas, gained prominence after ethnic riots between the Meitei and the tribal KukiZo people erupted in the State on May 3, 2023.
Two days after Arambai Tenggol members attacked a senior police officer, the State Police said in a statement that the outfit was garnering false support from the public in the guise of protecting the people but was actually committing many antisocial activities and criminal acts.
The presence of the Indian Army and other Central security forces would be enhanced in the wake of the “Manipur Police being targeted”, the police said.
“Combing operations will continue in the days to come and no one responsible for such criminal activities will be spared. People should cooperate in police work,” they added.
On February 28, the local administration in the valley and hill districts of Imphal, Bishnupur, Thoubal, Churachandpur, and
Kangpokpi had requisitioned reinforcements from the Assam Rifles, amid the possibility of a “widespread breach of peace due to movement of armed miscreants and underground outfits”.
The Manipur Police’s reaction comes days after Additional Superintendent of Police M. Amit Singh and his associate were attacked and abducted by Arambai Tenggol members after the arrest of its Sekmai unit chief for allegedly snatching two vehicles from a government oil depot.
The police described the incident as “unprecedented and unprovoked”.
On Thursday, a head constable, identified as A. Kanan Singh, who allegedly helped the Arambai Tenggol cadre launch the attack against the police officer, was suspended for “gross misconduct which is not expected from a member of a disciplined force like the police department.”
“The Manipur Police Department highly condemns the incident of life attempt on one of the Additional Superintendent of Police (Operations), Imphal West, other police officers and men in the evening of February 27 by members of Arambai Tengol. During the incident, the family members of Moirangthem Amit Singh were also intimidated by firing bullets, besides vandalising houses and properties,” the police said.
The officer was also abducted, beaten, and later released after intervention by the department.
“In connection with this incident, numerous concocted narratives are being circulated on various platforms, including social media, leading to character assassination of the said officer and the police department as a whole. In this regard, it is important for right thinking people to understand the origin of events which have led to this unprecedented and unprovoked incident,” the statement said.
The police said that on the afternoon of February 27, information was received about two cars being stolen by armed miscreants from the government oil depot.
“Based on this information, the said officers, namely M. Amit Singh, Inspector P. Achouba Meitei, and other teams had conducted search and intercepted the two vehicles which were stolen/ snatched, along with apprehension of one individual who was part of committing the crime,” the police said.
“It is to state that the members of Arambai Tenggol had carried out targeted attack on the above officers as well as attacked the house and properties of the ASP in connection with the above incident and for lawful discharge of duties. It is to be pointed out that the officers and others have been working tirelessly and contributing to the efforts to ensure law and order in the State, especially Imphal West District,” they said.
The statement added that the police department have been putting allout efforts to ensure law and order in the State, and appealed to the public to extend their cooperation to the department, requesting people to refrain from spreading rumours and circulating fake news.