The Manipur Police have registered a criminal case against the Assam Rifles, the oldest paramilitary force in the country, for “obstruction of duty” and “criminal intimidation”. The police have accused the personnel of the 9th battalion of the Assam Rifles of the “arrogant act” of “giving a chance to the accused Kuki militants to escape freely to a safe zone”.

The case was registered with the Phougakchao Ikhai police station in Bishnupur district under various sections of the IPC.

According to the FIR, around 6:30 am on Saturday, police teams were headed to Pholjang road along Kwakta in Bishnupur district to carry out an operation to trace Kuki militants, who were allegedly involved in the killings of three persons.

The FIR said when the teams reached Kutub Wali Masjid at Kwakta, they were stopped by personnel of the 9th Assam Rifles who allegedly kept a Casper vehicle in the middle of the road to block the way. The police said the “arrogant act” of the Assam Rifles personnel gave a chance to the militants to escape to safety.

Earlier, a video went viral showing police and Assam Rifles personnel engaged in a heated argument.

The Assam Rifles’ administrative control rests with the Union Home Ministry and operational control with the Army.