Imphal. Remains of sophisticated rockets have been recovered following the recent drone and high-tech missile attacks in Manipur, a top police official said on Tuesday. The Manipur Police has rejected the claim made by retired Assam Rifles Director General Lieutenant General PC Nair in a recent media interview that no drones or rockets were used in the attacks (in the state).
Nair had also referred to the Manipur Police as the “Meitei Police”, indicating their alleged partisan role in the ethnic conflict.
Inspector General of Police (Administration) K. Jayant Singh told reporters, “This statement is immature and seems to be his personal views and not that of the force (Assam Rifles). We strongly reject it. There is evidence of drone and high-tech missile attacks. Drones have been recovered. Remains of sophisticated rockets fired on civilian areas have been recovered. Despite such evidence, it is very unfortunate that such a statement was made by a respected commander.”
Inspector General of Police (Operations) I.K. Muivah said, “We want to make it clear that there is no ‘Meitei Police or Kuki Police’ but there is Manipur Police. Manipur Police comprises various communities including Naga, Meitei, Manipuri Muslim and non-Manipuri. There are also Christians, Muslims and Hindus in this force.” Muivah, who belongs to the Tangkhul Naga community, said, “The statement that Manipur Police is ‘Meitei Police’ reflects a narrow mindset.”
On drone attacks, Muiva said, “We have shared information on official social media handles regarding drone bomb attacks and we stand by it.” On the ongoing student protests in the state, the police officer said, “Rallies and dharnas are an integral part of the democratic system. We appeal to the students not to indulge in violence. Some vested interest groups are instigating (violence) and we are monitoring social media platforms.” He said that ‘screenshots’ of the relevant material are being taken to document those inciting violence and spreading false messages with manipulated pictures.
Jayant Singh said, “The crisis is very serious now. Now the time has come to take the help of security forces to deal with any attack in the border areas. The current movement of students has forced the deployment of security forces to deal with the protesters.” He claimed that in such a difficult time, when security forces are needed to protect life and property from attacks in the border areas, miscreants and anti-social elements are taking such movements as an opportunity to target the security forces.
He said a policeman was injured by bullets fired by protesters in Thoubal on Monday.