In Imphal west Rapid Action Force personnel vandalize vehicles

Imphal: In a shocking incident, law enforcement officials themselves flouted the law in a CCTV footage of members of the Rapid Action Force (RAF) driving vehicles parked along the Trans-Asian Highway at around 2.20 am on Tuesday seen vandalizing.

In CCTV footage, several RAF personnel can be seen using stones and canes to damage 12 four-wheelers parked on the west side of the road, while windows of houses in Yaiskul Yumnam Leikai, Imphal West are smashed. Can also be seen breaking glasses.
The incident took place when the street was empty, as confirmed by the CCTV footage. Another angle of the footage revealed some RAF personnel firing tear gas into a deserted street before moving into a nearby workshop.
The owner of the workshop claimed that RAF personnel vandalized two vehicles during the incident, including one that was being repaired.

Although there were reports of mob presence in the street between Monday and Tuesday night, there is no evidence that the mob destroyed any property during that time. The CCTV footage is proof of this.
The local residents of the area are deeply concerned about the actions of the RAF personnel, as they are entrusted with the responsibility of protecting people and their property, yet their behavior captured in the CCTV footage shows this responsibility. It is completely against the law.

The residents have demanded that legal action be taken against the RAF personnel as per law.
Terming the act as a “barbaric and terroristic” act, former Manipur Human Rights Commission chairman Khaidem Mani, a resident of the area, condemned the RAF personnel.
He said that their aim is to protect the rights and property of the people, but their actions in the CCTV footage are contrary to that.

He added that the recent incident has raised serious concerns about the behavior and accountability of law enforcement agencies, and it calls for a thorough investigation to ensure that such vandalism and misconduct do not occur in the future.
It may be mentioned that on May 27, three RAF personnel were suspended due to their alleged involvement in an attempted arson incident at a shop in the New Checkon area of Imphal East. This incident was also captured on CCTV footage.