AFSPA imminent if people don't cooperate: Police
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, February 29 2024: While condemning the February 27 incident as unprecedented, inspector general of police (Intelligence) IK Muivah has cautioned of re-imposition of Armed Forces' Special Powers Act (AFSPA) in the entire state if people and CSOs do not extend cooperation and obstruct duties of the police force.

Speaking to media persons at Manipur Police Headquarters on Thursday, IGP Muivah strongly denounced the February 27 assault on police officials and personnel, ruing that such incident had never occurred in the past.

While clarifying that police department has never worked against anyone personally, he said that police are for maintaining law and order for protecting lives and property of the people.

There is strong possibility of more central forces deployed in the state in case Manipur police could not discharge duty properly due to disturbances, the officer cautioned and advised the people to seriously ponder over inconveniences faced when violence used to be the order of the day in the past.

As such, the public should think about it, he stressed, while maintaining that police shall have to register cases from time to time for maintaining of law and order.

Regarding the arms looted from police by armed miscreants on February 27, Muivah informed that most of the arms have been recovered and search operations will continue to recover the missing arms.

The IGP urged the people not to misuse social media and further exhorted for joining hands so as to restore peace and normalcy.

Joining the media briefing, IGP (administration) K Jayanta denounced the abduction and assault of Imphal West additional SP Moirangthem Amit Singh by armed miscreants before being released due to timely intervention by the police besides intimidation to family members of the ASP by firing bullets, in addition to vandalising his houses and properties.

In connection with the incident numerous concocted narratives are being circulated on various platforms, including social media, leading to character assassination of the said officer and the police department as a whole, he condemned, while maintaining police personnel are working tirelessly in both hill and valley areas affected by the ethnic conflict.

Such act of undermining the duties of police instead of encouraging them amidst the situation is regretful, he said.

With regard to womenfolk demanding deployment of state forces in their areas, he posed as to how state forces could execute their assigned task if officers or personnel are attacked.

Stressing the need to extend support to the state forces, the IGP appealed to those active on social media platforms to find out the truth before posting or commenting.

Meanwhile, IGP (operations) Kabib K informed that police have started investigation into February 27 incident.

Upon receiving information that unidentified armed miscreants snatched two Ambassador cars from near North AOC on February 27, additional SP Amit Singh and Imphal West CDO OC P Achouba conducted search and intercepted the two vehicles which were stolen/ snatched, along with rounding up an individual who was part of committing the crime.

An FIR has also been registered at Imphal police station, he continued.

Urging the people to extend co -operation and support when police perform their duties, the IGP affirmed that police are there for the people and advised all concerned not to take law into their hands to avert unwanted incidents.

Moreover, use of social media to character assassinate officers will be strongly dealt with by registering cases and appropriate actions, Kabib warned.

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