As the ethnic violence escalates in the peripheral areas of the State, miscreants masquerading as Security personnel existed to enter villages and foment troubles for the minority community as well as the security personnel.
The official Twitter handle of Indian Army had earlier warned that the miscreants inimical actions would be appropriately responded.
"Not every fatigue, as is colloquially referred to, needs to be of Army or Assam Rifles," Indian Army tweeted, requesting media to be diligent and refrain from using the word interchangeably.
"Intelligence inputs on miscreants masquerading as our troops to enter villages & foment trouble exist," the official handle of Indian Army tweeted last Monday.
? Not every fatigue, as is colloquially referred to, needs to be of Army or Assam Rifles. Requesting media to be diligent & refrain from using the word interchangeably. Intelligence inputs on miscreants masquerading as our troops to enter villages & foment trouble exist.
(1/2) pic.twitter.com/5lKrp3Pi5L— SpearCorps.IndianArmy (@Spearcorps) June 10, 2023
The tweet came in the backdrop of multiple accounts by tribal villagers that Meitei militants allegedly worn Indian Army uniforms in attacking the minority tribal villages repeatedly. It came in the light of the incident on 9th June, 2023 in which Meitei militants disguised as army personnel entered Khoken village in Kangpokpi district and opened fire on the unsuspecting Kuki-Zo villagers, leading to the death of three innocent civilians – Jangpao Touthang, Khaimang Guite and Domkhohoi, who was shot dead while saying her prayer in Church.
The Army said that the Security Forces were working together with utmost synergy to protect lives, property and bring peace in Manipur, and warned that the miscreants' inimical actions would be appropriately responded.
With at least one more personnel killed in fresh violence in Manipur on Monday at Khamenlok area, the units of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) have requested their forces to supply more bulletproof jackets and helmets amidst the “developing situation" in the north-eastern state.
As per reports, a total of 114 companies of paramilitary forces have been deployed in the state. At present, there are limited bulletproof jackets being used by the personnel.
According to an official communication, the Rapid Action Force (RAF), which has 10 companies of personnel, has asked for 300 bulletproof jackets, the report stated.
“RAF is anti-rioting force but the situation in Manipur is different. Mob is violent and also militant groups are also involved in creating law and order situation in the state. Since, we are anti-rioting force, we don’t normally carry such items in large numbers and only the rifle party carries bullet proof items, but in Manipur, the situation is developing and getting violent. To tackle that, we and other forces need certain items for which we have placed requests along with other units,” a senior RAF official told News18.
The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) too has asked for such items in a communication — “Taking into account of developing situation in Manipur, items are required to meet any unforeseen situation."
Similarly, a senior Border Security Force (BSF) official said considering the “situation in the state”, adequate amount of supplies has been given, but there is a demand for additional items.
Moreover, the bulletproof items were stolen from the police stations and found with miscreants. The local administration is investigating the quantity of such items.
The big challenge for the forces is to arrest the miscreants who are disguising as police or CAPF personnel in the state.
The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) too has asked for such items in a communication — “Taking into account of developing situation in Manipur, items are required to meet any unforeseen situation."
The Hills Journal
K. Salbung, Churachandpur
Manipur-795128
