Manipur Police commandos laid down arms in protest after an armed group vandalised the residence of ASP Imphal West and abducted him. The commandos were unhappy with senior officers over limited action.
A section of Manipur Police commandos on Wednesday staged a symbolic protest by ‘laying down their arms’ over allegations that senior officers asked them to restrain themselves after an armed group of nearly 200 militants vandalised the residence of Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP), Imphal West and abducted him and his security guard from outside his house. The abduction was in retaliation for an attempt to detain militants in the ethnic violence-hit state, NDTV reported.
Later, the officer and his guard were rescued. “The ASP Imphal West and his security guard were rescued from Kwakeithel Konjeng Leikai area and admitted to Raj Medicity for medical treatment. A case has been registered in this regard and an investigation has started,” the Manipur Police said in a post on X (formerly known as Twitter).
Viral videos on social media from Imphal purportedly showed dozens of commandos laying down their weapons at a compound of their unit. “…they are unhappy with the state government for not giving them a free hand to tackle armed miscreants,” Hindustan Times reported.
Police commandos lay down arms in protest against attack and abduction of a police officer on Tuesday. Around 200 armed miscreants had stormed the house of a police officer in Imphal East. ASP Moirangthem Amit and his escort were abducted. #manipur pic.twitter.com/AJcXojAfu7
— Vijaita Singh (@vijaita) February 28, 2024
The Manipur police statement did not name the group behind the abduction of the official. But people having direct knowledge of the matter said radical Meitei outfit Arambai Tenggol was involved in the incident.
Media reports said the ASP Imphal West was abducted after some members of the Arambai Tenggol were detained earlier in the day for brandishing weapons and stealing vehicles.
Arambai Tenggol members have been accused of murder, attacks on security forces, extortion and arson. Kuki groups have said that the group has the support of politicians.