Army Called In as 200 Gunmen Storm House, Abduct Manipur Police Officer
Following the violence in Manipur, the Manipur Police issued a statement confirming the subsequent rescue of Imphal East Additional Superintendent of Police, Amit Singh.
On Tuesday, tensions heightened in Manipur as cadres of the Arambai Tenggol, a Meitei organization, allegedly abducted an additional superintendent of police in Imphal East district, according to the police. In a statement, the Manipur Police reported that Amit Singh, the additional superintendent of police in Imphal East, was subsequently rescued following prompt action by law enforcement and security forces.
Amit Singh, the officer stationed in the operations wing of the Manipur Police, has been hospitalized, with his condition reported as stable. During the attack on Tuesday evening, armed cadres purportedly affiliated with the Arambai Tenggol, vandalized the residence and caused damage to at least four vehicles through gunfire.
According to unidentified officials cited by news agency PTI, the Army was summoned following renewed tensions in Manipur, and four units of the Assam Rifles were dispatched to Imphal East following the abduction of the police officer.
Providing specifics of the occurrence that occurred approximately at 7 pm on Tuesday, the Manipur Police stated that around 200 armed individuals arrived in vehicles and raided the residence of Amit Singh.
“An incident involving gunfire occurred at the home of Addl SP, IW, Moirangthem Amit, MPS on February 27, 2024. Around 200 armed individuals arrived in vehicles and attacked the residence of Additional Superintendent of Police, Shri Moirangthem Amit Singh, MPS, son of Dr. M. Kulla Singh of Wangkhei Tokpam Leikai, within the jurisdiction of Porompat PS in Imphal East district. The armed individuals proceeded to vandalize property within the household,” the Manipur Police shared on their official social media platform.
Upon receiving the information, additional security forces promptly arrived at the scene. As a result of police intervention, two individuals, namely Rabinash Moirangthem, 24 years old, son of M. Ranjan of Kwakeithel Akham Leikai, and Kangujam Bhimsen, 20 years old, residing at Khongman Bashikhong, sustained injuries and were subsequently admitted to JNIMS Hospital, Porompat. Amidst the chaos, the Additional Superintendent of Police and one of his escorts were abducted by the armed assailants. They were later rescued from the Kwakeithel Konjeng Leikai area and admitted to Raj Medicity for medical treatment. A case has been registered in connection with the incident, and investigations are underway.
Why mob attacked Manipur Police officer?
According to officials cited by PTI, the indiscriminate firing occurred as a result of the officer’s arrest of six group members, who were allegedly involved in vehicle theft.
Subsequent to the arrests, a gathering of Meira Paibis (a Meitei women’s group) staged protests and obstructed roads, advocating for the release of the detained individuals.
Providing a narrative of the event, M Kulla, the father of the police officer, recounted, “Upon their arrival, we attempted to engage in dialogue with the armed individuals. However, unexpectedly, they commenced firing at the vehicles and properties. Consequently, we were compelled to swiftly retreat indoors and secure ourselves.” As per the officials, M Kulla subsequently contacted his son to apprise him of the situation.
According to PTI, the officer hurried with his team, but they were overpowered and abducted by the cadres purportedly associated with the Arambai Tenggol, as they were outnumbered.
The Manipur Police swiftly responded by mobilizing forces and executing a successful rescue operation, resulting in Amit Kumar’s safe return within a matter of hours, as reported.
The Manipur government sought assistance from the Army as the situation escalated following the rescue efforts. The Assam Rifles, a paramilitary force, operates under the operational command of the Army.
Manipur violence
Since May 3, 2023, the region has experienced a surge in violence, resulting in more than 180 casualties following a “Tribal Solidarity March” in the hill districts, which opposed the Meitei community’s call for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status.
The Meiteis, accounting for approximately 53 percent of Manipur’s population and predominantly residing in the Imphal Valley, differ from the tribal communities, such as Nagas and Kukis, who comprise 40 percent and primarily reside in the hill districts.
