Manipur Police set up special cell to tackle extortion by groups, gangs

PTI Imphan: Manipur Police on Saturday said the state government has set up a special cell to combat extortion by underground groups and gangs, which has reached unprecedented levels over the last 16 months. Briefing reporters, IGP (Intelligence) K. Kabib said numerous underground groups and gangs have escalated their extortion activities since the ethnic violence erupted in the state on May 3, 2023. “Illegal taxes are being collected from trucks plying on highways. In the guise of donations, they are harassing businesses, educational institutions, and even common people, slowing down economic activities,” Kabib said, adding, “Police are taking maximum preventive measures to tackle these extortionists.” He also noted that these underground groups are sometimes involved in kidnapping, grenade attacks, and phone threats.

In response to these activities, police have formed an anti-extortion cell, led by the ADGP (Law and Order), which includes all zonal IGPs as members, he said. “This cell will focus on monitoring and supervising the anti-extortion drive across the state. District police, with assistance from other security agencies, have established 15 crack teams dedicated to combating extortion,” he added. Over the past year, more than 121 extortionists have been arrested, along with over 215 members of underground groups and gangs.