The suspension follows last week’s case where five policemen were punished for allegedly releasing a drug smuggler.
BY PC Bureau
In yet another setback for the Manipur Police, a constable in Bishnupur district has been arrested and suspended on charges of extortion, barely a week after five cops were suspended in connection with a drug smuggling case. The back-to-back scandals have intensified concerns over corruption and misconduct within the force, already battling a credibility crisis amid insurgency, narcotics trafficking, and rising crime.
The constable, identified as Md Amumacha (38), was apprehended on Saturday in the Yairipok area after locals caught him red-handed while allegedly extorting money from members of the public. He was subsequently handed over to Andro Police Station in Imphal East and later produced before a duty magistrate.
Following the arrest, Bishnupur Superintendent of Police Ksh. Ravikumar Singh issued a suspension order with immediate effect and confirmed that a departmental inquiry under Rule 66 of the Assam Police Manual, Part-III had been initiated.
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As per the order, Amumacha has been attached to the District Police Reserve Lines during the suspension period and prohibited from leaving headquarters without prior permission from competent authorities.
This latest incident comes on the heels of a major controversy last week, when five policemen were suspended for allegedly releasing a drug smuggler they had apprehended. The officers, attached to the Imphal East Commando Unit, Thoubal Commando, and the 7th Manipur Rifles, reportedly let the suspect walk free in exchange for favours.
The suspension order in that case sent shockwaves across the state, raising concerns about collusion between law enforcement and drug syndicates that exploit Manipur’s vulnerable position along the Indo-Myanmar border, a major route in the infamous “Golden Triangle” narcotics trade.
Pattern of Misconduct
These incidents also reflect a larger pattern of misconduct. Over the past year, Manipur Police has faced repeated allegations of corruption, ranging from extortion at checkpoints to mishandling of narcotics seizures. In response, the police department had set up a dedicated anti-extortion cell under the Additional Director General of Police (Law & Order), but critics say enforcement has remained inconsistent.
Experts argue that isolated suspensions may not be enough to restore credibility and there was a need for systemic reforms, stronger internal vigilance mechanisms, and an independent oversight body to monitor the conduct of security personnel in Manipur.
The successive scandals come at a time when Manipur is reeling from ongoing ethnic conflict, frequent insurgent activity, and the surge of drug trafficking networks. With trust in institutions already fragile, the misconduct of police personnel risks compounding the crisis.
For now, both the suspended constable and the five policemen linked to the drug smuggling case await the outcome of departmental inquiries. But for the people of Manipur, the bigger question remains: who will police the police?
