Manipur Police commandos stage 'arms down' protest after ASP Imphal West gets abducted, house vandalised

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vandalised the residence of Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP), Imphal West and abducted him and his security guard from outside his house in retaliation for an attempt to detain militants in the ethnic violence-hit state, NDTV reported. Later, “the ASP Imphal West and his security guard were rescued from Kwakeithel Konjeng Leikai area and admitted to Raj Medicity for medical treatment. A case has been registered in this regard and an investigation has started," the Manipur Police said in a post on X (formerly known as Twitter).

Viral videos on social media from Imphal purportedly showed dozens of commandos laying down their weapons at a compound of their unit. “...they are unhappy with the state government for not giving them a free hand to tackle armed miscreants," Hindustan Time reported. The Manipur police statement did not name the group behind the abduction of the official but the people having direct knowledge of the matter said radical Meitei outfit Arambai Tenggol was involved in the incident.

Media reports said the ASP Imphal West was abducted after some members of the Arambai Tenggol were detained earlier in the day for brandishing weapons and stealing vehicles. Arambai Tenggol members have been accused of murder, attacks on security forces, extortion, arson, etc. Kuki groups have said that the group has the support of the politicians.

Arambai Tenggol last month called 38 lawmakers and other Meitei politicians to take an oath to protect “Manipur’s integrity". At least three legislators were assaulted for not supporting the state government. To be sure, no legislator has filed a complaint.