Manipur Police states that Assam Rifles provided assistance to militants, according to India News.

Manipur Police Accuses Assam Rifles of Obstructing Search for Militants

A suo motu FIR filed by the Manipur Police accuses the 9th Assam Rifles of obstructing a search for tribal militants in Bishnupur on August 5 and enabling them to escape. This revelation has exposed a fault line in Manipur’s security establishment, coming just a day after the paramilitary force was withdrawn from a key checkpoint in the valley district. The Assam Rifles has not yet responded to the FIR.

Request for Replacement of Assam Rifles

The Manipur unit of the BJP has submitted a memorandum to Prime Minister Modi, requesting that the Assam Rifles be permanently replaced by another paramilitary force. The party claims that the Assam Rifles has failed to maintain neutrality.

The FIR Details

The FIR filed by Sub-inspector N Devdas Singh states that on August 5, police and commando teams encountered a Casspir mine-protected vehicle of the 9th Assam Rifles parked in the middle of Kwakta-Pholjang Road near Kutub Wali Masjid. The FIR alleges that this obstruction hindered the police’s search for militants in the Kwakta area. The search was prompted by the earlier killing of three individuals. A video showing an argument between police and Assam Rifles personnel on that morning has also surfaced.

Ethnic Conflict and Violence

The three killings in Kwakta on August 5 led to reprisal attacks later that day, resulting in three more deaths and 16 injuries due to firing and mortar shelling. The valley districts of Manipur have several checkpoints to prevent the movement of armed groups. The state government had requested the deployment of either the Army or Assam Rifles alongside the police at certain points. As a result of the recent violence, members of the Meitei Pangal community in Kwakta have fled their homes.