Amid growing tensions in the northeastern state of Manipur, local law enforcement has issued a clear directive against the misuse of police commando uniforms. The move comes in response to recent incidents of rioters donning the black uniform to spread distrust, according to authorities.
Instructions to prevent misuse of the black commando uniform, distinctive to the Manipur Police, have been disseminated across all police formations. The move is meant to amplify vigilance in response to videos circulating on social media, which show assailants in the uniform. These uniforms are believed to have been stolen amid unrest that has embroiled the state since May 3rd.
The region has seen violent conflicts between two ethnic groups, the Meitei and Kuki, which have already claimed over 150 lives.
To combat this, police have been instructed to inspect vehicles carrying security personnel, particularly from the India Reserve Battalion and Manipur Police. This includes verifying identity cards, as police uniforms have also been abused to a lesser extent. Ending such misuse is essential to prevent perceived bias in law enforcement agencies, officials explain.
The ethnic clashes have left the 45,000-strong Manipur Police divided, with Meitei personnel retreating to the safety of Imphal valley and Kuki officers moving to the hills.
As the police assess the theft of weapons during the uprising, they are also intensifying efforts for their recovery. Two individuals have already been arrested for possession of stolen police arms bought from Imphal valley.
In the wake of these developments, newly appointed Director General of Police, Rajiv Singh, has identified nearly 1,200 personnel missing from duty. Singh has taken on the responsibility of identifying these individuals and ensuring their reintegration, with about 1,150 already having reported back.
As the situation intensifies, security forces are grappling with operations in 19 police stations recently denotified as ‘disturbed areas’ under the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA). Officers are seeking the presence of a magistrate during their duties as a safeguard against false accusations.
Amid these domestic issues, India has clarified to European parliamentarians planning to debate the situation in Manipur that the matter is strictly internal to India. This comes in response to a resolution motion on the Manipur situation tabled in the EU parliament.
The state of Manipur, plagued by violent clashes between the Kuki and Meitei communities for nearly two months, has had the Indian government facing accusations of inability to control the violence. New Delhi has reiterated that they are fully aware of the developments in the EU parliament and maintain their stance that the situation in Manipur remains a domestic issue.