RAF personnel go berserk, vandalise 14 parked vehicles
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, June 13 2023: Personnel of Rapid Action Force (RAF) added fuel to fire instead of dousing the flames in the already strife-torn Manipur by destroying 14 four-wheeler vehicles parked along the highway stretch of Moirangkhom, Yaiskul and Singjamei last night and in the wee hours today.

According to a late evening report reaching here, two of the RAF personnel have been placed under suspension.

The two suspended personnel are Sub-Inspector MM Hossain and Head Constable Arun Kumar Swain.

Meanwhile, local people today staged a protest demanding legal action against the rogue RAF personnel.

The incident of RAF personnel destroying wind-shields of more than 12 four-wheeler vehicles which were parked on the road side and window panes of houses by pelting stones and other hard objects were clearly captured in the CCTV cameras.

RAF personnel go berserk, vandalise 14 parked vehicles

At around 2.20 am, a large number of RAF personnel came back toward Moirangkhom after dispersing a huge crowd along the highway.

As the highway and the streets became empty, the RAF personnel started vandalising vehicles parked on either side of the highway, as confirmed by the CCTV footage.

Another angle of the footage revealed some RAF personnel firing tear gas rounds on a deserted street before rushing into a nearby workshop.

The owner of the workshop claimed that the RAF personnel vandalized two vehicles, including one that was being repaired, during the incident.

While there were reports of presence of mobs on the streets during the intervening night, there is no evidence to suggest that any property was destroyed by the mob.

The local residents of the area have expressed deep dismay over the excessive actions of the RAF personnel.

They are entrusted with the duty of safeguarding people and properties yet their behaviour as captured in the CCTV footage totally contradicted their responsibility, said some local residents.

The residents have demanded that legal action be taken against the RAF personnel in accordance with the law.

Terming the act as "barbaric and terrorising'' former acting Chairperson of Manipur Human Rights Commission Khaidem Mani who is a resident of the area expressed strong condemnation against the rogue RAF personnel.

He said they are meant to safeguard the rights and properties of the public, however their action captured in the CCTV footage was quite the opposite.

The recent incident has raised serious concerns about the behaviour and accountability of law enforcement agencies, and it calls for a thorough investigation to ensure that such acts of vandalism and misconduct are not repeated in the future, he added.

It may be mentioned that on May 27, three RAF personnel were suspended due to their alleged involvement in an attempted arson at a shop in the New Checkon area of Imphal East.

The particular incident was also captured on CCTV footage.

Meanwhile, a sit-in protest was staged at Moirang- khom today afternoon to condemn the atrocity carried out by the RAF personnel at Moirangkhom and Yaiskul area late last night and in the wee hours today.

The protest was organised by the Yaiskul Joint Committee, a conglomerate of local clubs and Meira Paibis from eight localities, demanding legal action against the RAF personnel involved in the act of vandalism.

The committee accused the RAF personnel of engaging in acts of violence that disrupted the peaceful environment and instilled fear among the people, particularly those residing in the relief camp.

They alleged that the RAF personnel fired tear gas shells, rubber bullets, and vandalised vehicles and properties.

Speaking to the media, co-convenor of the committee Chingakham (O) Keisham Jamuna expressed concern over the aggressive nature of the RAF personnel towards innocent civilians who have been suffering since the crisis erupted.

She urged the authorities to take appropriate action against those responsible for the alleged atrocities and the vandalism.

The protesters held placards with messages such as "Central forces should safeguard public property, not demolish it," "We condemn the act of RAF," "Don't implement divide and rule policy," and "We want peace," etc.

RAF personnel also fired several rounds of tear gas shells and mock bombs in different parts of Uripok area and the road leading to Langol Game village.

Due to the firing of tear gas shells and mock bombs toward the residential area, window panes of some houses were also reportedly damaged.