In a daring attack, more than 200 militants raided the residence of a senior police officer, vandalizing property and firing gunshots before abducting him and his guards. However, they were later rescued from the Kwakeithel Konjeng Leikai area and taken to Raj Medicity for medical treatment, as confirmed by Manipur Police on Wednesday. An investigation has been initiated, and a case has been registered in connection with the incident.
Although the police did not specify the group responsible for the abduction, insiders suggest the involvement of the radical Meitei outfit Arambai Tenggol. The Manipur Police swiftly deployed additional security forces to the location after the militants stormed Moirangthem Amit Singh’s residence in Imphal East district. During the ensuing police action, two individuals were injured.
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While the police statement remained silent on the motive behind the abduction, sources close to the matter revealed that the officer was targeted following the detention of some Arambai Tenggol members earlier that day. The detained individuals were reportedly engaged in criminal activities, prompting protests by members of the group and other women’s organizations outside the Imphal police headquarters. Subsequently, protests shifted to Singh’s residence, where the officer was surrounded by demonstrators, providing an opportunity for the militants to seize him amidst the chaos.
Arambai Tenggol has been implicated in orchestrating violence against tribals in Manipur since ethnic tensions erupted in the state in May of the previous year. The group has been accused of various crimes, including murder, attacks on security forces, extortion, and arson, with allegations of political backing adding to the complexity of the situation.
In a recent development, Arambai Tenggol called upon 38 lawmakers and Meitei politicians to pledge allegiance to “Manipur’s integrity.” Several legislators reportedly faced physical assaults for failing to support the state government, although no formal complaints have been lodged. The ongoing ethnic violence in Manipur has claimed over 200 lives and displaced nearly 50,000 people since its outbreak last year, leading to a state of anarchy with underground militant groups regaining momentum.
