The Wire Staff 
New Delhi: The Manipur Police on Saturday (September 16) arrested five people who were dressed in camouflage and carrying sophisticated weapons, thus impersonating police personnel. However, after the five were arrested, a mob tried to storm the police station the men were being held at in Imphal and demanded their release.
“There have been reports of extortion threats, misuse of police uniform and impersonation by armed miscreants. In view of this, Manipur Police has been making all out efforts to curb the same,” the police said in a statement.
“In one such operation, on 16.09.2023, Manipur Police arrested 05 (five) persons with sophisticated weapons in camouflage uniform. They are being proceeded legally. In response to this arrest, large number of people came out to protest and tried to storm Porompat PS demanding release of the arrested persons. Joint security forces repelled this attack by firing tear gas. In this, few persons received minor injury including an RAF personnel. These 05(five) arrested persons were produced before Judicial Magistrate and they have been remanded into further police custody,” the statement continued, adding that “Strict legal action is being taken against these anti-social elements”.
The mob violence took place at Porompat police station in Imphal East district.
Armed civilians wearing camouflage that could pass off as police uniform has become a common occurrence in violence-hit Manipur. Kuki-Zomi villagers have often alleged that “Manipur police commandos”, or those dressed as such commandos, have been part of violent mobs attacking their villages.
Manipur has been witnessing severe ethnic violence since May 3, with about 200 people having lost their lives.