Manipur police commandos have laid down their arms in four valley districts in protest against the recent attack and abduction of a police officer.
The incident, which occurred on Tuesday, saw the assault on the house of a senior state police officer in Imphal East by around 200 armed men allegedly belonging to the radical Metiei group Arambai Tenggol.
According to reports from the Indian Express, the armed assailants abducted the senior officer along with one of his escorts just a day before the highly anticipated Budget session of the Manipur Legislative Assembly commenced. The victims, Additional Superintendent of Police Moirangthem Amit Singh and his escort, were later rescued from the Kwakeithel Konjeng Leikai area and admitted to a private hospital in Imphal for medical treatment.
According to PTI, the motive behind the attack remains unclear, as per police statements, although it is speculated to be linked to Amit Singh’s recent arrest of six members of Arambai Tenggol for their alleged involvement in a car theft.
Subsequent to the incident, the Indian Army was called in, and four columns of the Assam Rifles were deployed in Imphal East to maintain order.
Detailing the attack, police officials revealed that the armed men arrived at Moiangthem’s residence in the Wangkhei area of Imphal East around 7 pm on Tuesday, where they vandalized the property and damaged four vehicles parked inside.
The incident has sparked outrage among Manipur police commandos, who condemned the perceived restraint placed on them during such confrontations, emphasizing that they should be allowed to retaliate against such miscreants.