IMPHAL: The districts within Manipur’s Imphal valley, already grappling with a wave of violence, have seen a sharp uptick in complaints related to extortion, said a senior government official on Tuesday.
Addressing a press conference in Imphal, Additional Secretary (Home) Maharabam Pradip Singh expressed that the state government’s efforts to restore normalcy in the region have been hindered by the presence of armed individuals.
“We have information that armed miscreants, disguising themselves as police commandos, are freely moving about. Such acts, which include extortion demands and threats, have obstructed the genuine efforts put forth by the police,” Singh told the press.
Singh further revealed, “We have received reports from various valley districts indicating a notable increase in complaints concerning extortion and threats.”
Singh, however, assured that the police has taken these complaints very seriously and had a firm commitment to address them. Measures have been implemented to confront armed individuals, including the establishment of strategic check posts and intensified search operations, he added.
Singh also took this opportunity to appeal to the public, urging them to support the state police and exercise caution when consuming information from social media. He stressed the importance of fact-checking before believing and sharing unverified information.
The Additional Secretary’s statements came at a time when several districts of the state are paralysed by a 48-hour statewide band demanding the release of five youths who were arrested for carrying weapons donning camouflage uniforms on Sunday.
Called by at least five local bodies and Meira Paibi units, the bandh, which was imposed from Monday midnight, had brought the twin districts of the state capital to a halt.
Earlier on Sunday, the Manipur Police had arrested five individuals for carrying sophisticated weaponry donning camouflage uniforms in Imphal East.
