Sun Jan 05 20:19:07 UTC 2025: ## Manipur Police Chief Injured Amidst Protests, Fighting Extortion and Group Pressure
**Imphal, Manipur –** The Superintendent of Police (SP) of Manipur’s Kangpokpi district, Manoj Prabhakar, was injured during protests by Kuki tribespeople on Friday. Intelligence sources reveal that prior to the incident, the IPS officer had been actively combating extortion rackets and defying pressure from a Kuki civil society group.
Prabhakar issued two urgent messages to his officers in November and December. The first, on November 19th, warned against paying extortion demands from unlawful groups, threatening disciplinary action for any compliance. The second, on December 19th, prohibited attendance at a meeting called by the Committee on Tribal Unity (CoTU), a Kangpokpi-based Kuki group, without prior permission. Sources indicate that junior officers, many residing with families in Kangpokpi, were particularly vulnerable to these extortion attempts.
Friday’s clashes erupted when protesters attempted to block transport as part of an ongoing economic blockade demanding the withdrawal of central forces. When security forces intervened, the situation escalated, with protesters moving towards the deputy commissioner and SP’s office. Security forces responded with tear gas and blank firing; individuals wielding automatic weapons were also observed among the protesters. The SP sustained a head injury from a projectile thrown by the crowd. CoTU subsequently called off the blockade on Sunday.
The incident highlights a broader issue of extortion plaguing Manipur. Numerous reports detail armed groups exploiting the ongoing conflict to extort money from businesses, particularly in urban areas. This has been exacerbated by the ongoing ethnic violence between the Meitei and Kuki communities, which has displaced tens of thousands and claimed over 250 lives since May 2023. The Manipur Police have made several arrests related to extortion attempts by groups like Arambai Tenggol and the Kangleipak Communist Party (PWG).
The ongoing unrest is further fueled by the Kuki demand for a separate administration, a call supported by several Kuki militant groups, MLAs, and civil society organizations. This demand, coupled with the Meitei community’s push for Scheduled Tribe status, continues to deepen the crisis in Manipur. The Governor has ordered heightened security measures to ensure public safety.
First Piper 