Manipur Police Lay Down Arms in Protest Against Kidnapping of ASP ,Demand Action

Defense News ,India :- In a bold move, Manipur Police commandos decided to set aside their weapons in protest after the abduction of Additional Superintendent Amit Kumar Moirangthem. The incident occurred on Tuesday when a group of Meira Paibis (women volunteer group) and members of the Metei radical group Arambai Tenggol kidnapped the police officer and attacked other personnel. Fortunately, the officer was rescued quickly and is currently receiving medical attention.

The police commandos, representing all five valley districts, have come together to demand action against the Arambai Tenggol group. They are also seeking assurance that political executives will not hinder their efforts when dealing with such outfits. The situation escalated on Tuesday, leading to the deployment of four columns of the Assam Rifles by the Army in Manipur East.

Highlighting the urgency of the situation, a senior security official drew a parallel with a famous quote from former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in 2011: "You can't keep snakes in your backyard and expect them to only bite your neighbor." The official emphasized the need to address the rise in violence in Manipur, which has seen over 180 casualties since May 3.

The violence erupted following a "Tribal Solidarity March" protesting the Meitei community's demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status. The Meiteis, constituting 53% of Manipur's population and residing in the Imphal Valley, differ from the tribals, including Nagas and Kukis, who make up 40% and primarily inhabit the hill districts. Senior police officials are assuring their personnel that strict action will be taken against those responsible for the recent incidents.