Imphal: For the first time since the current ethnic violence occurred on May 3 last year, Manipur Police Thursday singularly called out Arambai Tenggol, a radical Meitei group, over the forcible abduction and later assault of Additional Superintendent of Police, Moirangthem Amit, on Tuesday evening.
Besides AT, Arambai Tenggol in short, is engaging in many anti-social activities like assaulting civilians and snatching vehicles from public and government officials, they are also indulging in extortion from the common public and businessmen, a statement of Manipur Police department said on Thursday.
They are garnering false support from the public in the garb of protecting the public, but they are committing many anti-social activities and criminal acts, the release added.
While speaking to media persons, IK Muivah, IGP, said that the Manipur police is a neutral force and does not act against or in favour of any community. Moreover, the department has been putting all-out efforts to maintain law and order in the state. However, if the situation gets out of hand, they have no other choice, but to seek support from the other central security forces including CRPF, Assam Rifles and Army. The end result will not be a desirable one as we witnessed in the past decades, the top officer said, citing incidents where many people, civilians and militants were killed by security forces.
The outcome will be a re-imposition of the controversial – Armed Forces Special Power Act, AFSPA, in the whole of Manipur again, he hinted.
Addressing media persons in the press briefing, K Jayenta, IGP, said that in his 36 years in public service, he has never witnessed any incident like what happened on the night of February 27. He also termed it as condemnable the character assassination of a police officer on social media by groups and individuals.
Jayanta described Addl SP, Moirangthem Amit as an honest, qualified, dedicated officer and always ready to respond to any duty whenever his superior officers called for. He is someone who led from the front.
Over the past 10 months since the violence occurred between the two communities a lot of people have been killed, properties worth crores have been lost, and the state police personnel are working with full commitment round the clock to ensure the safety and security of the public in all the affected areas both in the valley and hills. But instead of recognising their dedication, false allegations are made against the police force, which is hurtful, a visibly emotional Jayanta told reporters.
Jayanta said Amit only performed his lawful mandated duties and there was nothing personal in his actions. He simply attended to a crime as a police officer.
Recalling the appeals made by many people, especially in the peripheral areas of the state to depute state security forces, the police officer wondered if state forces are under attack how will they be able to work in such an environment. If they cannot perform their duties they have to seek alternatives, as safety and security of the public and properties are more important to them. The alternative could be the reimposition of AFSPA in the state.
Jayenta also appealed to all to understand the gravity of the situation, “it’s not the time to accuse and blame one another”. “Instead of criticising and defaming each other, we need to cooperate and help each other”, he added.
Clarifying on the incident of February 27, Kabib K, IGP, said that information was received about stealing/snatching of two Ambassadors cars by some unknown miscreants from the government Oil Depot, located near North AOC. Based on this information, police officers namely M. Amit Singh, Inspector P Achouba and others searched and intercepted two vehicles which were stolen along with the apprehension of one individual who was part of the committing the crime. Later, an FIR was registered at Imphal Police Station and an investigation started thereafter.
Kabib also appealed to all elders of society not to support such kinds of incidents. If the police are threatened, and not able to work, what’ll be the alternative – other issues like insurgency, and AFSPA will come up and the Armed forces will come… if any officer of the department is involved in wrong things, any individual can come and make a complaint. “We will act as per the law, but do not take the law into your hands; it will only create more and more problems”.
“We also condemn the character assassination of our officers and police on social media. Whoever does such a thing will be booked under relevant sections of the law”, Kabib warned.
