Manipur DGP sets up committee to probe use of excessive force by security forces

Manipur DGP forms committee to probe allegations of police excess; MHA extends deadline for State to record details of illegal migrants; BJP leader's house attacked; district magistrate's office vandalised; Rapid Action Force accused of using pellet guns; 40,000 central security forces deployed; families of slain students urge authorities to locate bodies; MHA grants Manipur govt time till end of FY to capture biometric details of illegal migrants.

The Manipur Director General of Police (DGP) on September 28 constituted a committee to look into the allegations that the security forces have used excess force over the last few days in the Imphal area, even as tensions simmered in the State over the abduction and murder of two Meitei students who went missing in July. The photos of their bodies surfaced on social media earlier this week, leading to agitations and demonstrations by students.

In another development, the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has extended its deadline for the Manipur government to record details of illegal migrants in the State, including biometric details. Although the State was due to complete the exercise by September 30, it has now been granted an additional six months till March 31, 2024.

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) State President A. Sharda Devi told The Hindu that protestors had vandalised her house on Wednesday night, in an attack that left her niece injured.

“This is the sixth time my house has been attacked. They hurled stones at us. It is possible we are attacked again. The students were angry, they wanted to know why they were subjected to violence and why there was not enough condemnation to this incident as in the case of two women who were paraded naked. Due to my intervention, three students, all juveniles who were apprehended by the police, were released yesterday,” Ms. Devi said.

She said that such attacks were unprecedented, adding that though the police have deployed security near her residence in Imphal, others residing in the area also needed protection.

 In another incident on Wednesday night, the office of the district magistrate of Imphal West was also vandalised, and two cars parked in its vicinity were set on fire.

An order by DGP Rajiv Singh said that a committee is being formed to verify the complaints and allegations of police excess, which will submit its report at the earliest. The committee will be headed by K. Jayanta Singh, Inspector General of Police, Administration, who will be assisted by another officer, Th. Sanatomba Singh.