Imphal, Jan 30: Manipur Police arrested two armed men in connection with an extortion case in Imphal. The accused were allegedly extorting money from shopkeepers in and around Paona Bazar, a busy commercial area in the city.
The two arrested individuals have been identified as N Bothe Meitei (24) and Yengkhom Gyandas Singh, also known as Dinku or Chaningkhomba (24). According to a police report, they were caught on Wednesday while attempting to extort money from local businesses.
During the operation, police recovered a .32 pistol with a magazine loaded with seven rounds of 7.65mm ammunition. Additionally, two mobile handsets, Rs 6,210 in cash, an Aadhaar card, and a two-wheeler were seized from their possession.
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Authorities have been cracking down on extortion-related crimes following a surge in such incidents. On January 27, the Manipur government established an integrated anti-extortion cell under the Home Department to tackle this growing issue.
The newly formed cell comprises personnel from the state police, Central Armed Police Forces, and Assam Rifles/Army to ensure swift action against extortion rackets.
In a statement, Manipur Chief Secretary Prashant Kumar Singh highlighted the rising threats faced by individuals, including government officials, who have been receiving extortion demands via phone calls, messages, and letters from various unlawful organizations. He warned that such activities pose a serious threat to law and order in the state.
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Singh also urged the public, including government employees, to report any cases of extortion or threats to the anti-extortion cell for immediate action.
According to police sources, over 200 people have been arrested in the last six months for extortion-related offences in Manipur. The rise in such activities has been linked to the ongoing unrest in the state, which began on May 3, 2023.
(With inputs from Newmai News Network)