MPS officers, commandos surrender arms
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, February 28 2024:
Stating that they cannot be expected to perform their duties while their hands are tied amidst the law and order situation in the state, MPS officers and police commandos deployed in five districts surrendered the weapons issued to them in protest on Wednesday.
According to a source, no permission has been granted to conduct search operations and arrest the persons involved in the firing attack and vandalism at the private residence of Imphal West Additional SP (Ops) M Amit at Wangkhei Tokpam Leikai, which was carried out by around 200 unknown miscreants, in addition to the assault and abduction of the police officer, a commando OC and his team, on Tuesday.
The incident has greatly demoralised the officers and personnel particularly the commandos of Manipur Police.
As such, stating that they cannot continue to execute their duties to maintain law and order in such a situation, Imphal West district police commandos began surrendering their weapons at the Commando complex, Minuthong from around 10 am Wednesday.
On receiving the news, DIG Zone-I of Manipur Police arrived at the Complex and heard the grievances and wishes of the commando personnel, followed by the same from the top officers.
Meanwhile, supporting the protest of Imphal West commandos, their Bishnupur, Thoubal, Imphal East and Kakching colleagues laid down their weapons at their respective commando complexes in the afternoon.
Expressing dissatisfaction at the government's response over Tuesday s incident, most of the MPS officers deployed for the fifth session of Manipur Legislative Assembly, which began from Wednesday, did not report for duty from Tuesday night.
While some officers did show up at their posts on Wednesday, they did not execute their duty to the fullest.
Later, in the afternoon, a meeting of MPS officers was convened at 1MR and the representatives met CM N Biren around 5pm, stating the difficulties faced by Manipur police presently and also with demands to allow the force to execute thfeir powers to the fullest.
However, the CM did not give an exact response to the demands put forward by the MPS officers.
The CM also did not inform what action had been taken up or will be taken up by the government with regard to the attack at M Amit's residence on Tuesday, the source conveyed.
The police commandos staged "arms down" protest, surrendering their weapons, in wake of abduction of ASP Amit by some armed activists.
The police commandos were reportedly miffed with higher authorities asking them to "show restraint" after the Tuesday night firing at the residence of the ASP before he was kidnapped at gunpoint.
The police commandos reportedly wanted a free hand against the armed abductors.
ASP Amit Kumar, posted with the Operations Cell of the Manipur Police, was abducted along with his security guard by a group of armed activists on Tuesday night.
The abductors also ransacked his house and damaged at least four vehicles with gunfire.
A large contingent of Manipur Police quickly launched a search operation and safely rescued the ASP within hours.
The police official was admitted to a hospital where his condition is stated to be stable.
Police said that the armed activists were annoyed with the police officer as he had recently arrested six members of the abductors' group.
Following the arrests of the six members, a local group had protested and blocked roads demanding their release.
After the Tuesday night incident, Assam Rifles and other security personnel were deployed in Wangkhei area.
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