Police set up dedicated cell to curb extortion

By Our Staff  Reporter
IMPHAL, Oct 12 : Flagging concern over the rising cases of extortion in Manipur, the police department has set up an anti-extortion cell headed by ADGP (Law and Order), today.
The cell  will have all  IGPs as members.
Addressing the media at Imphal West Police Headquarters today, IGP (Administration) K Jayanta  said that some miscreants might have been using weapons which were looted from police armoury to extort money from the masses.
The senior police officer also said that cases of gangs and militant groups extorting money  from the people have become rampant and organised amid the unrest in Manipur.
Saying that these gangs and militant groups extort money from schools, colleges, healthcare service providers, private establishments, Government depart- ments etc, he added that the rise  in extortion activities has affected every sector.
Further stating that most  cases of extortion were not reported to the police, Jayanta added that many cases of abduction, lobbing hand grenades and firing at residential places were found connected with extortion during investigation.
The senior police officer also said that many cases of moral policing were found associated  with extortion when investigated.
Saying that checking extortion won't be possible without the support of the people, he appealed to the masses to report to the police if miscreants serve monetary demands on them.
He also appealed to one and all not to take law into their hands.
IGP (Intelligence) K Kabib, on the other hand, said that some militant groups and gangs have been taking advantage of the situation in Manipur to obtain money through force or threats.
The rise in extortion activities has taken a heavy toll on the civilians apart from backtracking the economic activities, he added.
Saying that the anti-extortion cell set up by the police will be headed by ADGP (L&O) and all IGPs will be members, K Kabib added there will be 12 extortion crackdown teams each in every district.
He further said that about 121 individuals were arrested in connection with extortion cases in the last one year.
The senior police officer also said  that about 220  cadres of underground groups were arrested in the same period in connection with extortion and other cases.
Continuing that 16 companies of CAPF have  also been kept as Road Operating Party (ROP) along National Highways to ensure the safety of trans- porters, he added that frisking and checking has been intensified at places along National Highways where extortion is rampant.
He appealed to the people to report all cases of extortion to the police. DIG N Herojit and Im phal West SP Ksh Shivakanta also attended the press briefing.