Manipur Police celebrate 133rd raising day "Violence orchestrated by those affected by crackdown on drug business"

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Oct 19 : Manipur Police celebrated its 133rd raising day at the parade ground of the 1st Battalion Manipur Rifles, here today.
The event was graced by Power Minister Thongam Biswajit as the chief guest in place of Chief Minister N Biren Singh who is currently in Delhi.
The main events of the celebration included distribution of trophies and awards and a march-past parade by 12 contingents of Manipur Police, Home Guards and Traffic Police personnel, among others.
Biswajit inspected a guard of honour and also took the salute from the march past  contingents.
Addressing the event, Biswajit said that the unrest in Manipur was orchestrated by  a section of people who were affected by the crackdown on drug business.
He also said that illegal  immigrants were involved in smuggling activities across the border areas.
The Minister, meanwhile, said that the police are a law enforcing agency of the Government who have been entrusted to protect the lives and properties of the people.
Saying that Manipur police had only about 500 personnel at the time of its establishment 133 years back, the Minister added that Manipur police have become a powerful force over the course of time having over 40,000 personnel.
Appealing to the public to cooperate with the police, he added that the public and police need to have a healthy relationship to ensure public safety.
He also said that the role being taken by the police in carrying out the War on Drugs campaign is immense.
Saying that the War on Drugs campaign is being carried out under the supervision of the Chief Minister, the Minister said that the public need to acknowledge the initiatives being taken up by the Chief Minister to make Manipur a drug free State.
Further stating that the works being done  by police to restore normalcy in Mani-pur is  commendable, Bis- wajit added that the public should not criticise the entire police department when some officers or personnel are at fault.
The public should instead help the  police in stopping smuggling and drug trafficking apart from enforcing law and order.
DGP Rajiv Singh, on the other hand, said that Mani-pur police have been deli- vering commendable service to the people since its establishment.
Saying that Manipur police have been doing whatever it takes to ensure the safety of people apart from carrying out counter insurgency operations and arresting criminals amid the unrest, he exuded confidence that the crisis in Manipur will be resolved soon.
The DGP further said that the Manipur police have been working in close coordination with other security forces to end the conflict and build confidence among the people.
The police are also working round the clock to stop unlawful acts such as extortion being done by many armed miscreants and militant groups.
Continuing that the police, however, face  incon- veniences in enforcing law and order, Rajiv Singh added that 11 State police personnel and six personnel of Central forces have died  while on duty amid the unrest engulfing Manipur.
The DGP went on to state that the police have registered 762 cases pertaining to counter insurgency and arrested 291 cadres of under- ground outfits in the last one year.
Continuing that more than 1000 weapons have also been recovered amid the unrest, the DGP said that 16 militants were also  killed in the same period.
The police also destroyed over 651 acres of poppy plantation apart from registering 97 cases under NDPS Act  and arresting 109 individuals in drug related cases, Rajiv Singh said.
At the function, trophies, commendation certificates and cash awards were given to the winners of best police station and best police officer awards by Biswajit.
While Lamphel police station won the DGP Mani-pur Trophy for Best Police Station Award 2024, Sub Inspectors L Sarjubala (of Bishnupur women police station) and Vashum Meena (of Ukhrul women police station) were given the Best Police Officer Award 2024.
The title of the Second Best Police Station was given to Jiribam police station and Churachandpur women police station while Patsoi police station and Bishnupur police station were conferred the 3rd Best Police Station Award 2024.
The Best Battalion Award, on the other hand, was given to 1st Manipur Rifles while 8th Manipur Rifles and 2nd Manipur Rifles were conferred the 2nd and 3rd Best Battalion Awards.
Speaker of Manipur Legislative Assembly Th Satyabrata, CAF & PD  Minister L Susindro, Social Welfare H Dingo, Education Minister  Th Basantakumar, Security Advisor Kuldiep Singh and MLAs also attended the programme, among others.