Amid fresh Manipur violence, IPS officer Rakesh Balwal recalled

With a relapse of violence in Manipur, the union home ministry has recalled Srinagar police official Rakesh Balwal to handle the state’s violent situation.

Known for his anti-terror expertise, the IPS officer was currently serving as SSP Srinagar. After the “premature” repartation to Manipur, Balwal will be assigned a new posting upon his joining.

Officials have “approved the proposal of the Ministry of Home Affairs for premature repatriation of Rakesh Balwal, IPS, from AGMUT cadre to Manipur cadre,” an announcement read.

Balwal, who is a resident of Udhampur in the Jammu region, has served in Manipur police in various capacities with the last being Senior Superintendent of Police, Churachandpur in 2017. He has served in the Thobal and Imphal areas as well.

A fresh bout of violence, this time led by students, broke out in the state capital on Tuesday after photos of the bodies of two youths who went missing in July went viral on social media.

Also Watch: Internet snapped in Manipur again amid outrage over students' killing

Violent protests continued till the early hours of Thursday with a mob vandalising the deputy commissioner's office in Imphal West and torching two four-wheelers, officials said.

(With PTI inputs)