In Manipur, miscreants posing as security officials are extorting and threatening locals and disrupting the restoration of peace, a state government official said on Tuesday.
Speaking at a press conference, Additional Secretary (Home) Maharabam Pradeep Singh said, “We have information about miscreants disguised as police commandos. They are extorting and threatening. “If the police are sincerely trying to bring peace, they are obstructing it,” he said.
Complaints related to extortion and threats are on the rise in various valley districts of Manipur. He said that the state government has received a report in this regard.
Several traders and businessmen in the state have complained against the extortion demands of these armed miscreants. An unidentified businessman told the Economic Times that the demand ranges from Rs 5-10 lakh, which is impossible to pay.
“If the money is not paid, they threaten to attack with grenades. Sometimes these militants come in the guise of security forces. Even traders from outside Manipur are not coming to do business with us because law and order has deteriorated,” another unidentified trader from Thoubal told the newspaper.
More than 200 people have died and nearly 60,000 people have fled their homes in ethnic violence between Kukis and Meitei since May 3. Apart from this, there have been cases of rape, murder and looting of police weapons.
