Police set up special cell to combat extortion
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, October 12 2024: Manipur Police has established a special anti-extortion cell to tackle the growing menace of extortion by armed groups and gangs in recent months.

The move came in response to increase in extortion activities across the valley districts and along national highways aftermath of the communal conflict on May 3, 2023.Addressing the media at Imphal West SP office on Saturday, IGP (Intelligence) K Kabib conceded that extortion activities have reached unprecedented levels.

Numerous underground groups and gangs have intensified their activities, demanding taxes from trucks on the highways and harassing businesses, educational institutions, and even individuals under the guise of seeking donations.

These activities, Kabib said, have affected economic activities in the state.

He further noted that in addition to extortion, these groups are involved in criminal activities such as kidnapping, bomb and arm attacks, and making phone threats, consequently prompting the police to work out multi pronged strategies to combat the menace.

The newly formed anti-extortion cell, led by the ADGP (Law and Order), includes all zonal IGPs as its members and will oversee anti-extortion drive across the state.

In coordination with district police and other security agencies, 12 specialised track teams have been formed to combat extortion.

IGP Kabib revealed that over the past year, more than 121 extortionists have been arrested, alongside over 215 members of various underground groups and gangs as part of the state's concerted effort to curb rampant criminal activities since onset of the crisis.

In response to the surge in extortion along national highways, particularly targeting the movement of essential goods, police have enhanced security along key routes.

With the assistance of central security forces, 16 dedicated companies have been deployed for Road Opening Party (ROP) operations on the two national highways, with two additional companies assigned to escort goods carriers.

Kabib also mentioned that police have identified specific extortion hotspots and have deployed mobile teams in these areas to conduct random frisking and checking.

The police are working in close coordination with other security agencies, the officer said, urging the public to report any demands for extortion.

"We will do our utmost to apprehend the extortionists.

If you give in to one group, others will come for their share.

Many gangs are also using the names of underground groups for extortion," Kabib said, emphasising the need for the public to stay vigilant and report incidents to prevent further extortion.

He also highlighted well-organised nature of extortion in the state, with activities spanning multiple districts and even crossing state lines, raising concerns over national security.

The police are considering to hand over certain cases, including attacks on essential commodities convoys, to central agencies like the National Investigation Agency (NIA) to better handle the complex and far-reaching nature of the problem.

The IGP also cautioned the public against allowing groups or individuals to engage in moral policing, such cases often end in extortion.

Innocent people have fallen victims to such practices, Kabib warned.

Chipping in, IGP (Administration) K Jayanta noted that both the private and public sectors are affected by extortion in the state.

He expressed concern that weapons looted from police armouries during the violence may now be used to intimidate victims to extract extortion money.

"We suspect that weapons looted from police armouries are being used in these extortion cases.

It is a well-organised sector, and we take the situation very seriously.

While We have made numerous arrests, our investigations suggest that those executing extortion on the ground are often just pawns in a larger scheme," Jayanta said.

Imphal West SP Kh Shivkanta also addressed another concern during the media briefing, stating that no private firm or individual is authorised to use the Manipur Police logo.

He warned that certain private vehicles, temporarily hired for transporting central security forces, have been seen displaying stickers bearing the names and unit numbers of security forces even after lapse of their hired period.

He confirmed that all police stations have been alerted to crack down on the unauthorised use of police logos as well as such stickers displaying central security forces and their units.

DIG Range-I N Herojit was also present at the media briefing.

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