Red alert as 7th MR constabulary gets mutinous

Imphal, May 12: A security alert had been sounded from this afternoon after the personnel of 7th MR headquarters at Khabeisoi village under Heingang police station refused to have negotiations with the DGP and other senior police police officials regarding the orders to shift the headquarters to Taphou in Senapati district. The tension has since been defused late this evening after hectic negotiations, sources said. A release from the police department claimed that a team of senior police officers, led by the DGP AA Siddiqui, met with families of jawans of the 7th battalion MANipur Rifles twice today, and successfully pacified the agitationists to allow the normal function of the constabulary again. The team visited the agitating family members MR at 10.30 am and then at 4 pm, a police department release said. Since yesterday, family members of the 7th MR personnel have been protesting against the government decision to shift the headquarters to Taphou. The DGP and higher officials of the police department rushed to the 7th MR headquarters but were not allowed to enter the premises of the battalions where the 7th MR CO Shantikumar was also held captive by the MR personnel. around 1000 personnel of the 7th MR took hostile positions when the DGP along with other officials attempted to break open the main gates of the battalion locked since yesterday. Reinforcement team from IRB and the state police also cordioned off the entire boundary of the battalion this afternoon. Other forces including the CRPF and the BSF also joined hands with the IRB and police in cordoning the 7th MR complex. Sources said that CO Shantikumar has been urged to revoke the order for shifting the 7th MR in view of the consequences that have come up after the order was issued. The CO has been charged of giving his consent to the shifting of the battalion to Taphou. In the meantime, CO Shantikumar is still stated to be held inside the battalion and some paramilitary were vigilant in the area.