Shillong, September 28: As Manipur grapples with escalating violence following the abduction and murder of two students, the Union Home Ministry has taken the decision to repatriate senior IPS officer Rakesh Balwal to his home state in the northeast.
Rakesh Balwal, presently serving as Senior Superintendent of Police in Srinagar, will now be deployed in Manipur to assist in addressing the ongoing law and order challenges, according to sources.
As per India Today, the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet approved this move nearly a month after the Ministry of Home Affairs proposed it, citing the urgent requirement for additional officers due to the prevailing situation in Manipur.
A fresh wave of violence, instigated by students, erupted in Imphal following the circulation of photos of Phijam Hemjit (20) and Hijam Linthoingambi (17), who had gone missing in July and were allegedly kidnapped and brutally murdered.
Protesters clashed with security personnel in Uripok, Yaiskul, Sagolband, and Tera areas on Wednesday night, prompting the use of tear gas shells to control the situation. Demonstrators obstructed roads with burning tires, boulders, and iron pipes to prevent security forces from entering residential areas. Additionally, a mob vandalized the DC office and set two vehicles ablaze. The situation was eventually brought under control by CRPF personnel.
A curfew was imposed in two districts, Imphal East and West, as security forces grappled with the violent protests, which have left around 150 students injured since Tuesday.
Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh revealed that Union Home Minister Amit Shah assured him that those responsible for the abduction and murder of the two students would be arrested and punished. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is actively investigating the case.
