Manipur Police commandos resorted to a symbolic act of protest on Wednesday by laying down their arms following the abduction of Additional Superintendent Amit Kumar Moirangthem.
The unprecedented demonstration highlights their demand for the freedom to retaliate when faced with aggression.
Reports indicate that police commandos across all five valley districts of Manipur set aside their weapons, demanding swift action against the Metei radical group, Arambai Tenggol.
They also urged political authorities to refrain from obstructing police operations against the outfit.
The protest was triggered by Tuesday's shocking incident, wherein a group comprising members of the Meira Paibis, a women's volunteer group, and militants from Arambai Tenggol abducted the police officer and assaulted other personnel guarding him.
The officer was rescued within hours, and is currently hospitalised.
The Army had to be called in as fresh tension mounted in Manipur East on Tuesday and four columns of the Assam Rifles were deployed after the senior police officer was abducted.
Meanwhile, senior police officials engaged in dialogue with their personnel, assuring them of decisive action against the perpetrators.
The assurance was aimed at pacifying the agitated police commandos who sought justice for their abducted colleague.
Senior police officials were talking to their personnel assuring them that strict action would be taken against the perpetrators.
"You can't keep snakes in your backyard and expect them to only bite your neighbour. This was stated by the then US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to Pakistan in 2011 but today it holds good for Manipur where a section of the community was welcoming the return of these terror and radical groups," a senior security official said.
The region has witnessed escalating violence since May 3, with over 180 casualties reported after a "Tribal Solidarity March" in the hill districts protested the Meitei community's demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status.
The Meiteis, constituting around 53 per cent of Manipur's population and residing predominantly in the Imphal Valley, contrast the tribals, including Nagas and Kukis, who make up 40 per cent and primarily inhabit the hill districts.
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