Manipur DGP clears air on whether Assam Rifles is a neutral force or not

The Manipur top cop's statement assumes significance since it comes at a time when allegations have been levelled against the Assam Rifles for not allegedly maintaining neutrality when handling the

Manipur DGP Rajiv Singh today clearly said that all the security forces in the state, be it the central or state security forces, are working in close synergy to restore lasting peace in the state.
The Manipur top cop’s statement assumes significance since it comes at a time when allegations have been levelled against the Assam Rifles for not allegedly maintaining neutrality when handling the situation.
Even Chief Minister N Biren Singh had informed that his government has sent a proposal to the Centre to withdraw the Central forces which take side and deploy forces which can act in impartial manner in their place.
However, the Manipur DGP refused to make a statement on whatever the Chief Minister had said, but maintained that collaborative efforts of the forces are underway to bring peace to the conflict affected state.
Speaking to newspersons DGP Rajiv Singh said, “We are always in constant touch, we have a coordination committee at the state headquarter also and at the district level also and everywhere, plus we have several video conferences and all that. We all take care of whatever news is coming to us. Allegations and complaints are part of our job. People will speak good sometimes and sometimes bad about somethings. We all take this into account and try to coodinate in a manner in which peace and tranquility comes back to this place as soon as possible.
What the CM has said that I will not be able to comment. For me all the forces are equal and we are working together with all the forces, whether it is central forces or state forces. We all working in close co-ordination with everyone and trying to bring the situation to normal as soon as possible.”
Worth mentioning, MLAs of the ruling BJP had held threadbare discussions with Manipur CM N Biren Singh on January 21 over the evolving situation. Following this, the MLAs resolved to urge the Centre to withdraw Assam Rifles especially from Moreh, Kakching, Bishnupur and Imphal West and deploy a neutral force instead.
The death of four civilians at Ningthoukhong Kha Khunou after they were shot dead by armed miscreants triggered a row wherein it was alleged that the incident took place due to the non-intervention of the Assam Rifles.
The Manipur DGP’s reaction was also sought on reports doing the rounds that security forces are now withdrawing from vulnerable places like border town Moreh.
In repsonse to this, DGP Rajiv Singh stated, “There is a joint coordination committee there where the IG is also there, DIG is also there. There are several forces, BSF is there, Assam Rifles is also posted there plus we have our own officers who are there. They have all sat down, strategized things because attacks were coming too often. So it is a strategic move basically and a tactical move which cannot be said in open. None of the places have been vacated. All the places have been occupied by one force or the other. It is a strategic move, nothing like that.”

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