With tension brewing high between the State’s law enforcing agency and the Arambai Tenggol over a fierce gunfight between the two armed groups on February 27, the Manipur Police has came out strongly on Thursday against the Arambai Tenggol militia outfit.
In a statement, the Manipur Police said, “AT (Arambai Tenggol) is engaging in many anti-social activities like assaulting civilians, snatching of vehicles from public/ govt officials. They are also indulging in extortion from the common public and business men.”
“They (Arambai Tenggols) are garnering false support from the public in the garb of protecting the public but they are committing many anti-social activities and criminal acts,” it stated.
Highly condemning the incident of life attempt on one of the Additional SP (Ops), Imphal West, other police officers and men in the evening of February 27 by members of Arambai Tengol, the Manipur Police Department has came out with facts over the violent incident, nullifying numerous concocted narratives being circulated on various platforms, including social media, leading to character assassination of the said officer and the police department as a whole. “In this regard, it is important for right thinking people to understand the origin of event(s) which have led to this unprecedented and unprovoked incident,” the Police said.
During the incident the family members of Moirangthem Amit Singh (Addl. SP, Ops, IW) were also intimidated by firing bullets, besides vandalizing houses and properties. The Addl. SP was also abducted, beaten and later released after timely intervention by the department.
The police department informed that in the afternoon of February 27, it recieved an information about stealing/snatching of 2 (two) numbers of Ambassador cars, bearing registration nos. MN07-X 7682 & MN01-X-7683 by some unknown armed miscreants from Government Oil Depot, located at North AOC. Based on this information, the said officers, namely Moirangthem Amit Singh, Inspector P. Achouba Meitei (OC-CDO/IW) and other teams had conducted search and intercepted the two vehicles which were stolen/snatched, along with apprehension of one individual who was part of committing the crime. Later, in this connection one case FIR no. 106(2)2024 Imphal Police Station u/s 379A/400/506/34 IPC & 24 (1-B) Arms Act was registered and investigated into.
The Police stated that the members of Arambai Tengol had carried out targeted attack on the above officers as well as attacked the house and properties of the Addl. SP (Ops, IW) in connection with the incident and for lawful discharge of duties. It pointed out that Moirangthem Amit Singh, Addl. SP (Ops, IW), Inspector P. Achouba Meitei (OC-CDO/IW) and others have been working tirelessly and contributing to the efforts to ensure law and order in the state, especially Imphal West District.
Asserting that the police department has been putting all out efforts to ensure law and order in the state, it appealed to the general public for extending cooperation to the police department and requested the public to refrain from rumour mongering and circulating fake news.
“Public must not be misled and give co-operation to Manipur Police in bringing peace and tranquillity back in the State. Manipur Police remains ever committed to guard and protect the lives and properties of public,” the statement added.
The statement also stated that Manipur Police is a neutral force and not acting against any community or in favour of one, and cautioned that use of social media to target any officer or unit would be strongly dealt with by taking up cases and action. “Police is United Team from Top to Bottom and any attack on anyone will be taken seriously and stringent action taken,” it said.
With Manipur Police being targeted, the need for calling in Army and Other Central forces will have to be enhanced, and Combing Operations will continue in the days to come and no one responsible for such criminal activities will be spared, the statement added.
