Srinagar Top Cop Repatriated To Manipur Cadre Amid Fresh Violence Over 2 Students' Killing

The Centre has approved the premature repatriation of the Srinagar police chief to Manipur cadre amid an increase in violent clashes in the northeastern state.

The Centre on Wednesday approved the "premature" repatriation of Srinagar SSP Rakesh Balwal to Manipur cadre as fresh incidents of violence grip the state over the killing of two students. The northeastern state witnessed massive protests in Imphal after photos of the bodies of the two youths went viral on social media. PTI stated citing officials that 45 students were injured in the Imphal Valley during clashes with the police, who used tear gas shells and baton charges to disperse the agitators.

The official order of the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievance and Pensions stated in the order that Balwal, who is in AGMUT (Arunachal Pradesh-Goa-Mizoram and Union Territory) cadre, is now being sent to Manipur cadre after approval from the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet.

Manipur is going through another wave of violence with students, primarily from schools and colleges in Imphal, demanding the immediate arrest of those responsible for the alleged kidnapping and killing. The situation turned volatile when security forces attempted to stop the protesters from advancing towards the chief minister’s secretariat in Sanjenthong, Imphal East district.

Mobile internet services have been suspended for five days, as per an order issued on Tuesday, within days after CM N Biren Singh announced the resumption of internet services. These measures are set to remain in effect until 7.45 p.m. on October 1. Around 31 students were hospitalised in clashes with the police. More than 60 people were injured.

Meanwhile, a team of CBI officials, led by the agency's Special Director Ajay Bhatnagar, reached Manipur on Wednesday afternoon and started the probe into the crime. CM N Biren Singh said that Union Home Minister Amit Shah assured him that those who committed the crime will be arrested and punished.

The chief minister told reporters: "The central and state governments are very serious about this case. Union Home Minister Amit Shah-ji called me up yesterday evening and told me that he is sending a CBI team on a special flight to investigate the particular case." Shah quoted Singh as saying that this case has to be dealt with very seriously and those responsible have to be booked as per the law of the land and assured that “no one will be spared."