MHA asks Govt depts, private firms to report extortion cases
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, March 09 2014:
Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), Government of India has asked all officials of State and Central Government Departments as well as private business firms to report any extortion case faced by them either to the police or MHA officials.
According to a statement of GSO-1 to Sr Consultant (NE), Ministry of Home Affairs, the MHA is concerned with growing armed attacks on Government officials, contractors, doctors and businessmen by "fictitious" UG groups as well as by outfits under SoO based in both valley and hill for complying with their extortion demands.
Such unwanted incidents are taking place regularly in the State despite security measures taken up by the State Home Department and police.
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The MHA is of the view that there has been lack of coordination between various State and Central Government Departments with law enforcement agencies functioning in the State, it said.
The MHA further informed all departments of both State and Central Governments, business establishments, doctors, contractors and corporate houses to immediately inform the nearest police station or contact MHA officials on the helpline numbers "9615216996/ 8256912012/ 9856827950/ 7308696831" in case any demand note/letter is served or any extortion call is made within one hour of receiving the note/letter or call without fail.
Moreover, the complainants should provide primary information such as time of receiving the demand note/letter or call and its origin; amount demanded with stipulated time; name of the UG group; telephone/mobile number of the caller or letterhead of the UG group in which demands are made; and name and description of the person delivering the demand note, it said.
The statement further mentioned that the identity of the helpline seeker would remain well classified.
Failing to report the matter within the stipulated time would result in helpline seeker being held responsible for any untoward consequences.
It is observed that most of the incidents are taking place due to failure to inform the agencies concerned in time.
The Police, Crime Branch, CID, SIB, Assam Rifles, Army etc.
cannot be blamed when the concerned department officials, doctors, contractors and businessmen fail to inform the agencies in time.
Helpline seekers must call by telephone/mobile number registered in his/her own name.
Calls made from unregistered numbers will not be acknowledged or entertained, the MHA said.