IMPHAL/UKRUL, Nov 10: Manipur Police has identified more than 30 suspects allegedly involved in serious crimes, including abductions, killings of women, children and religious leaders, attacks in vulnerable areas and ambushes on security forces, additional director general of police (ADGP) Lhari Dorjee Lhatoo said on Tuesday.
Addressing a press conference at the Police Headquarters in Mantripukhri, Dorjee said police and security forces would intensify operations to apprehend those involved in serious crimes, extortion, threats and violence.
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On the killing of two youths from Senapati district, the ADGP said investigators had gathered several leads and identified individuals suspected of involvement. He assured that those responsible would be arrested.
The victims, Paoginlal Hangshing and Tinginlun Chongloi, both residents of Taphou Kuki village, were abducted and were last seen near Maranmai village in Senapati district.
Dorjee said an FIR was registered immediately after the incident, followed by witness examinations and extensive search operations under the supervision of senior officers. Joint teams comprising Manipur Police, CRPF, CoBRA, BSF, Assam Rifles and the Army were involved in the search.
Their bodies were subsequently recovered from a forested area along the Senapati-Phaibung Road, about 14 km east of National Highway-2.
He said search and arrest operations were continuing, with intelligence inputs, ground-level evidence and technical analysis helping investigators identify those suspected of involvement.
The ADGP further said the state government’s proposal to hand over the investigation to the National Investigation Agency (NIA) was at an advanced stage, with the necessary orders awaited.
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Meanwhile, he informed that Manipur DGP Mukesh Singh had recently completed a two-day visit to Noney and Tamenglong districts to review highway security and assess the prevailing situation through interactions with various stakeholders.
On security along National Highway-37, Dorjee said police and security forces were taking measures to protect vehicles, transport convoys and the movement of essential commodities amid reports of extortion along the highway.
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Additional companies of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), requisitioned from the Centre, were expected to arrive shortly, he said, adding that their deployment would strengthen security in vulnerable areas.
On the government’s anti-poppy campaign, the ADGP said Manipur Police had finalised a plan to destroy illegal poppy plantations across 516 villages in 10 districts with the support of security forces.
He appealed to local communities to cooperate, stating that poppy cultivation damages forests, degrades the environment, affects public health and provides financial support to criminal activities and conflict.
Dorjee warned that legal action would be taken against all those involved in illegal poppy cultivation, including landowners.
Reiterating the police department’s commitment to restoring peace, he said operations against those involved in serious crimes would continue and attacks on security personnel would not be tolerated.
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He also appealed to the public to remain calm, exercise restraint and refrain from taking the law into their own hands.
Warning against rumours and unverified information circulating on social media, Dorjee urged people not to share provocative content that could aggravate the situation. Those responsible for spreading such material could face legal action, he cautioned.
He further urged the public to report suspicious activities to the nearest police station or the Central Control Room to help security agencies prevent further incidents.
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