Manipur Police Officer Kidnapped By 200 Gunmen, Rescued In Hours

A Manipur additional superintendent of police was abducted by Meitei activist organisation Arambai Tenggol on Tuesday evening. He was rescued after the force launched an operation swiftly, PTI reported citing officials.

Armed cadres allegedly from the Arambai Tenggol took away ASP Amit Kumar, posted with the Operations Cell of the Manipur Police from his residence in Wangkhei. The group of Arambai Tenggol members, who came firing shots, ransacked the house and damaged at least four vehicles with gunfire.

Following the gunshots, the officer's father contacted his son who rushed to the scene with a small team. However, the outnumbered police force was unable to prevent the kidnapping as the activist members swiftly took Kumar and fled, as per the report.

However, the Manipur Police quickly mobilised forces, launching a successful rescue operation to ensure the safe return of the abducted officer within hours.

The incident highlights the ongoing tensions between activist groups and law-enforcement in the region.

Since May 3, 2023, the region has witnessed a surge in violence, resulting in over 180 casualties. The escalation began after a "Tribal Solidarity March" in the hill districts protested against the Meitei community's push for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status.

"Firing incident at the residence of Addl SP, IW, Moirangthem Amit, MPS On 27th February, 2024. Armed miscreants numbering about 200 coming in vehicles stormed at the residence of the Additional Superintendent of Police, Shri Moirangthem Amit Singh, MPS, s/o Dr. M. Kulla Singh of Wangkhei Tokpam Leikai, under Porompat PS of Imphal East district. The armed miscreants vandalized the household properties at the residence," the Manipur Police said on X (formally Twitter).

"On getting information, additional security forces rushed to the spot. In the resulting police action, two individuals namely Rabinash Moirangthem, 24 yrs s/o M. Ranjan of Kwakeithel Akham Leikai and Kangujam Bhimsen, 20 yrs c/o K. Abosana of Khongman Bashikhong sustained injuries on their persons and were admitted to JNIMS Hospital, Porompat. In the midst of the incident, the Addl SP and one of his escorts were abducted by the armed miscreants. They were later rescued from Kwakeithel Konjeng Leikai area and admitted to Raj Medicity for medical treatment. A case has been registered in this regard and investigation has started," it added.

According to officials cited by PTI, the indiscriminate firing occurred due to the officer's arrest of six group members on suspicion of vehicle theft.

After the arrests, a Meira Paibi group (a collective of Meitei women) staged protests and blocked roads, demanding the release of those detained.

Talking about the incident, M Kulla, the police officer's father, said, "We tried to talk to the armed men after they entered, but all of a sudden they started firing at the vehicles and properties. So we had to rush inside and lock ourselves."