Spate of attacks on monetary demands by UG groups under SoO and 'fictitious' UG groups
MHA issues strict instructions to notify authority
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, March 09 2014: Taking serious note of the spurt in attack on Government officials, contractors, doctors and business establishments by 'fictitious UG groups' as well as UG groups under the SoO pact, both valley and hill based, in connection with their extortion notices, the Ministry of Home Affairs has issued a series of instructions to all concerned to approach the law enforcing agencies and the authorities concerned.

The primary information to be furnished by those receiving such extortion notices are, time of receiving the demand note or demand call and its origin; amount demanded with the stipulated time; to declare the name of the UG group; telephone/mobile numbers of the caller or letterhead of the UG group in which the demands are made and name and description of the person delivering the demand note.

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The MHA has also given helpline numbers to contact them in case the need arises.

The numbers are 9615216996, 8256912012, 9856827950 and 7308696831 .

Noting that lobbing grenades, planting IEDs as well as attack by firearms for not complying with the extortion demands have become daily rituals in the State, the MHA in a statement issued to the media today said that it is of the view that there has been "lack of co-ordination between the various State and Central Departments with law enforcing agencies functioning in the State" .

The MHA noted this against the backdrop of the enhanced security measures taken up by the State Home Department and police.

In view of the growing attacks on monetary demands, the MHA has directed all the departments, both Central and State, business establishments, doctors, contractors and corporate houses to immediately inform the nearest police station or contact the MHA Helplines which have been given within one hour with effect from tomorrow (March 10, 2014) .

Encouraging all to come forward and lodge their cases in time, the MHA assured that the identity of the helpline seeker will remain well classified.

On the other hand, the MHA also cautioned that failing to report the matter within the stipulated time will result in the helpline seeker being held responsible for any untoward consequences.

"Hence it is observed that most of the incidents are taking place due to the failure to inform the concerned agencies in time.

The police, Crime Branch, CID, SIB, Assam Rifles, Army, etc etc cannot be blamed when the respective departments, both Central and State, doctors, contractors, business establishments fail to inform the agencies in time," added MHA.

Helpline seekers must call by telephone, mobile number registered in his/her own name, it said and added that calls made from unregistered numbers will not acknowledged or entertained.