Missing charred buses raises suspicion of police involvement
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, August 01 2023: In the aftermath of burning of the two buses carrying RAF personnel by a Kuki mob near Sapermeina police station in Kangpokpi district, questions have been raised about the complicity of security forces.

However, the situation has taken a peculiar turn with missing of remnants of the torched buses becoming a subject of concern.

According to sources, the All Manipur Road Transport Drivers and Motor Workers' Union has formally requested SP Kangpokpi and OC of Sapermeina PS to take custody of the charred remnants of the two buses and help in bringing them up to Sekmai so that the union could take them.

However, the OC responded unprofessionally, claiming that they could not locate the charred buses.

Maimom Anil, the general secretary of the union, asserted that the buses were set ablaze in broad daylight in front of Sapermeina police station, with police and RAF personnel present at the spot.

Instead of taking immediate action and apprehending the perpetrators, the police are now reporting that the charred buses have inexplicably gone missing, right from the vicinity of the police station.

In response to this disturbing development, the union has filed a complaint with the DGP Manipur, demanding appropriate action against those responsible.

Adding to the gravity of the situation, Anil alleged that the OC of Sapermeina PS informed him that the charred buses were sold as scrap, with the full knowledge of SP Kangpokpi.

This raises serious questions about the integrity of Kangpokpi police, as they seemingly allowed anti-social elements to profit from the crime during an ongoing police investigation.

Anil condemned such callousness as a display of complicity by the Sapermeina police station and its personnel, highlighting a sense of lawlessness in the district, particularly in areas under the police station's jurisdiction.

The union demanded that Sapermeina PS provide a clear explanation for the missing remnants.

Additionally, they urged the DGP Manipur and state security advisor to investigate why the police and central security forces failed to intervene and prevent the mob from committing the crime, and to arrest all those involved, including any police personnel and security forces present at the scene.

Anil further alleged that Kuki militants have been extorting money from transporters ranging from Rs 7,000 to Rs 10,000 per truck operating along NH 2 and sought deployment of adequate security convoy to protect the transporters in the area.

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