Is CRPF a brute force in Manipur?
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Hareshwar Goshwami
The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) traces its origins to July 27, 1939, when it was established as the Crown Representative’s Police during the British colonial period. CRPF Act was passed on the 28th December, 1949, ie some 77 years ago. Today, it stands as India’s largest paramilitary force, entrusted with a wide range of responsibilities, including counter- terrorism operations, maintenance of law and order, disaster response, riot control, VIP security, and the protection of citizens’ rights and National integrity.
The Force upholds the motto “Nation First – Follow Me,” while its guiding doctrine, Tejsvi Navdhi-tamastu (derived from the Katha Upanishad), reflects ideals of knowledge, brilliance, and intellectual excellence. However, despite this legacy and stated ideals, there exists a growing perception—particularly in regions like Manipur—that the Force has, over time, drifted from its foundational principles. Concerns are often raised regarding issues of discipline, accountability, and the ethical application of force.
Among certain sections of the public in Manipur, the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) is increasingly perceived not as a symbol of courage and protection, but as a force that appears reluctant to confront armed adversaries while exhibiting disproportionate assertiveness toward unarmed civilians. This perception is not without basis. A few incidents, as recalled by the writer, are outlined below.
RMC Massacre 1995: In January 1995, nine innocent civilians were killed, including a medical student from Arunachal Pradesh. The other victims comprised an employee of a public toilet complex as well as several rickshaw and auto-rickshaw drivers. According to the findings of the Commission of Inquiry constituted by the Government, the incident was characterized as a cold-blooded and retaliatory act of violence. The Commission observed that the retaliatory or retributive use of force of firing is illegal and could amount to an offence of murder or culpable homicide.
Evidence suggests that the killings followed an attack by a member of an armed opposition group, in which a CRPF officer was injured. In the immediate aftermath, one of the CRPF personnel reportedly ran out of the toilet complex after the firing incident shouting, “hamara aadmi mara hai, sab Manipuri ko maro” (“our man has been killed—kill all Manipuris”).
Next the CRPF personnel walked out of the gate of the hospital and killed several Auto-Rickshaw drivers and Rikshaw pullers and shot them at close range.
Cold Blood Murder in Naorem Village, 1996: On April 5, 1996, personnel of the 127 Battalion, CRPF, deployed from Langjing, opened fire at Naorem Village, in Imphal West District, resulting in the death of an innocent woman inside her parental home, where she was staying peacefully with her one-and-a-half-year-old daugh- ter. The minor child also sustained bullet injuries in the incident.
In his findings, the Chairman of the Commission of Inquiry, Shri C Upendra Singh, observed: “It appears in most cases, if not in all cases, the security forces including the CRPF do not care to know that they have to come in aid of civilian power of the State.” The report further emphasized that even in situations of extreme necessity, any use of force must be directed at a specific and clearly identified target, with the primary objective of apprehension rather than the taking of life, and with due regard to causing the least possible injury.
Tonsen Lamkhai Massacre, 1999 : In October 1999, 10 (ten) innocent civilians, including three students, were brutally killed at Tonsen Lamkhai, now under Kakching district, following an attack on a CRPF convoy comprising personnel from two different units by armed groups. In the immediate aftermath of the ambush, CRPF personnel resorted to indiscri- minate and deliberate firing in the surrounding area, leading to the tragic loss of innocent civilian lives.
The official version presented by the CRPF maintained that the deaths occurred during an exchange of fire and were the result of crossfire. However, the findings of the trial Court decisively contradicted this claim, concluding that the civilians were killed in a cold-blooded manner rather than in the course of any firefight. A careful examination of the sequence of events at the site further substantiates the conclusion that the killings were deliberate and not incidental to an armed encounter.
Heirangoithong Massacre, 1984: On March 14, 1984, a tragic incident unfolded at Heirangoithong Volleyball Ground in Imphal West District, where a volleyball tournament was in progress and attended by a large number of spectators. During the event, cadres of an underground (UG) group reportedly launched an attack on personnel of the Central Reserved Police Force (CRPF), resulting in injuries to some of the security personnel. In the immediate aftermath of the attack, CRPF personnel opened fire indiscriminately at the ground, where unarmed civilians had gathered to watch the match.
The firing led to the death of 14 (fourteen) innocent civilians and left at least 32 others injured, many of whom were mere spectators with no connection to the attack. The incident remains one of the most painful episodes in the collective memory of Manipur, as it highlighted the grave consequences of disproportionate use of force in a civilian setting. The tragedy at Heiran-goithong stands as a stark reminder of the vulnerability of ordinary citizens caught in situations of armed conflict and retaliatory action by armed security forces against the innocent public.
June 18 Massacre, 2001: The firing incident of June 18. 2001 in Imphal, associated with the June Uprising, remains one of the most tragic and deeply unsettling episodes in the recent history of Manipur. Eighteen innocent civilians lost their lives in the course of the unrest, an event that exposed a grim and disturbing dimension of the role of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) in the State. Of the total casualties, fourteen persons were reported- ly killed by CRPF personnel deployed at the southern gate of the Raj Bhavan (now Lok Bhavan) and within the Chief Minister’s Bungalow Complex in Imphal.
The findings of the Upendra Judicial Commission of Inquiry, constituted to investigate the incident, offer a stark and telling observation on the conduct of the forces involved. The Commission noted: “Thanks to Manipur Police, IRB and security forces, other than CRPF, for bearing maximum restraint and for not firing even a single bullet from their firearms.”
This remark underscores a significant contrast in operational response, suggesting that while other forces exercised restraint under tense and volatile circumstances, the actions of the CRPF resulted in the tragic loss of innocent civilian lives, thereby deepening public anguish and mistrust.
Tronglaobi Incident, 2026: Tronglaobi, a village located at the south-western extremity of the valley in Bishnupur District, remains highly sensitive amid the ongoing crisis in Manipur.
On the intervening night of 6th and 7th April 2026, a horrific incident occurred in which 2 (two) toddlers, who were asleep beside their mother peacefully, were brutally killed, while their mother sustained critical injuries. This cowardly act, allegedly carried out by narco-terrorists, sent shock-waves across the State and deeply saddened all sections of Manipuri society, particularly the Meitei community to which the victims belonged.
Grief-stricken and outraged by the tragic loss, large numbers of people from across the valley gathered and moved towards a nearby CRPF camp close to the site of the incident. In the firing that ensued due to the immature and untrained brute force, the lives of 3(three) innocent people were lost and many were injured.
Such spontaneous public gatherings are not uncommon, as people often seek accountability from authorities responsible for maintaining law and order. In such situations, it is the duty of administrative and security forces to engage with the public, listen to their grievances, and respond with restraint and sensitivity. Even when a crowd turns agitated, established protocols exist to prevent escalation and minimise harm to civilians. Notably, no CRPF personnel were reported killed or injured on that day, raising serious concerns about the necessity and proportionality of their response, especially when contrasted with their apparent inaction during attacks on innocent villages.
Conclusion: In view of the prevailing ground realities, there is a growing perception that a section of security personnel deployed in Manipur—particularly the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF)—are not adequately equipped, either in training or in contextual understanding, to effectively handle the State’s complex and sensitive conditions. The situation in Manipur goes beyond a conventional law-and-order problem; it is deeply rooted in historical grievances, ethnic complexities, and a fragile socio-political fabric that demands a nuanced and context-sensitive approach. However, the conduct of some forces has at times appeared mechanical or disproportionate, further strai- ning relations and widening the trust deficit between civilians and security forces.
It is therefore imperative to undertake a comprehensive reassessment of exis- ting training, orientation, and operational frameworks, placing greater emphasis on local sensitivity, conflict de-escalation, and institutional accountability. Such reforms are essential to ensure that security forces function not merely as enforcers of law and order, but as credible agents of public trust and confidence. In this context, both the State and Central Governments must earnestly examine and implement the recommendations of various inquiry bodies. Doing so will be crucial in preventing the recurrence of such incidents, addressing long- standing grievances, and restoring faith in the system—alongside ensuring the prompt and strictest possible punishment of those found guilty.
The writer is a Writer & Political Activist
The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) traces its origins to July 27, 1939, when it was established as the Crown Representative’s Police during the British colonial period. CRPF Act was passed on the 28th December, 1949, ie some 77 years ago. Today, it stands as India’s largest paramilitary force, entrusted with a wide range of responsibilities, including counter- terrorism operations, maintenance of law and order, disaster response, riot control, VIP security, and the protection of citizens’ rights and National integrity.
The Force upholds the motto “Nation First – Follow Me,” while its guiding doctrine, Tejsvi Navdhi-tamastu (derived from the Katha Upanishad), reflects ideals of knowledge, brilliance, and intellectual excellence. However, despite this legacy and stated ideals, there exists a growing perception—particularly in regions like Manipur—that the Force has, over time, drifted from its foundational principles. Concerns are often raised regarding issues of discipline, accountability, and the ethical application of force.
Among certain sections of the public in Manipur, the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) is increasingly perceived not as a symbol of courage and protection, but as a force that appears reluctant to confront armed adversaries while exhibiting disproportionate assertiveness toward unarmed civilians. This perception is not without basis. A few incidents, as recalled by the writer, are outlined below.
RMC Massacre 1995: In January 1995, nine innocent civilians were killed, including a medical student from Arunachal Pradesh. The other victims comprised an employee of a public toilet complex as well as several rickshaw and auto-rickshaw drivers. According to the findings of the Commission of Inquiry constituted by the Government, the incident was characterized as a cold-blooded and retaliatory act of violence. The Commission observed that the retaliatory or retributive use of force of firing is illegal and could amount to an offence of murder or culpable homicide.
Evidence suggests that the killings followed an attack by a member of an armed opposition group, in which a CRPF officer was injured. In the immediate aftermath, one of the CRPF personnel reportedly ran out of the toilet complex after the firing incident shouting, “hamara aadmi mara hai, sab Manipuri ko maro” (“our man has been killed—kill all Manipuris”).
Next the CRPF personnel walked out of the gate of the hospital and killed several Auto-Rickshaw drivers and Rikshaw pullers and shot them at close range.
Cold Blood Murder in Naorem Village, 1996: On April 5, 1996, personnel of the 127 Battalion, CRPF, deployed from Langjing, opened fire at Naorem Village, in Imphal West District, resulting in the death of an innocent woman inside her parental home, where she was staying peacefully with her one-and-a-half-year-old daugh- ter. The minor child also sustained bullet injuries in the incident.
In his findings, the Chairman of the Commission of Inquiry, Shri C Upendra Singh, observed: “It appears in most cases, if not in all cases, the security forces including the CRPF do not care to know that they have to come in aid of civilian power of the State.” The report further emphasized that even in situations of extreme necessity, any use of force must be directed at a specific and clearly identified target, with the primary objective of apprehension rather than the taking of life, and with due regard to causing the least possible injury.
Tonsen Lamkhai Massacre, 1999 : In October 1999, 10 (ten) innocent civilians, including three students, were brutally killed at Tonsen Lamkhai, now under Kakching district, following an attack on a CRPF convoy comprising personnel from two different units by armed groups. In the immediate aftermath of the ambush, CRPF personnel resorted to indiscri- minate and deliberate firing in the surrounding area, leading to the tragic loss of innocent civilian lives.
The official version presented by the CRPF maintained that the deaths occurred during an exchange of fire and were the result of crossfire. However, the findings of the trial Court decisively contradicted this claim, concluding that the civilians were killed in a cold-blooded manner rather than in the course of any firefight. A careful examination of the sequence of events at the site further substantiates the conclusion that the killings were deliberate and not incidental to an armed encounter.
Heirangoithong Massacre, 1984: On March 14, 1984, a tragic incident unfolded at Heirangoithong Volleyball Ground in Imphal West District, where a volleyball tournament was in progress and attended by a large number of spectators. During the event, cadres of an underground (UG) group reportedly launched an attack on personnel of the Central Reserved Police Force (CRPF), resulting in injuries to some of the security personnel. In the immediate aftermath of the attack, CRPF personnel opened fire indiscriminately at the ground, where unarmed civilians had gathered to watch the match.
The firing led to the death of 14 (fourteen) innocent civilians and left at least 32 others injured, many of whom were mere spectators with no connection to the attack. The incident remains one of the most painful episodes in the collective memory of Manipur, as it highlighted the grave consequences of disproportionate use of force in a civilian setting. The tragedy at Heiran-goithong stands as a stark reminder of the vulnerability of ordinary citizens caught in situations of armed conflict and retaliatory action by armed security forces against the innocent public.
June 18 Massacre, 2001: The firing incident of June 18. 2001 in Imphal, associated with the June Uprising, remains one of the most tragic and deeply unsettling episodes in the recent history of Manipur. Eighteen innocent civilians lost their lives in the course of the unrest, an event that exposed a grim and disturbing dimension of the role of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) in the State. Of the total casualties, fourteen persons were reported- ly killed by CRPF personnel deployed at the southern gate of the Raj Bhavan (now Lok Bhavan) and within the Chief Minister’s Bungalow Complex in Imphal.
The findings of the Upendra Judicial Commission of Inquiry, constituted to investigate the incident, offer a stark and telling observation on the conduct of the forces involved. The Commission noted: “Thanks to Manipur Police, IRB and security forces, other than CRPF, for bearing maximum restraint and for not firing even a single bullet from their firearms.”
This remark underscores a significant contrast in operational response, suggesting that while other forces exercised restraint under tense and volatile circumstances, the actions of the CRPF resulted in the tragic loss of innocent civilian lives, thereby deepening public anguish and mistrust.
Tronglaobi Incident, 2026: Tronglaobi, a village located at the south-western extremity of the valley in Bishnupur District, remains highly sensitive amid the ongoing crisis in Manipur.
On the intervening night of 6th and 7th April 2026, a horrific incident occurred in which 2 (two) toddlers, who were asleep beside their mother peacefully, were brutally killed, while their mother sustained critical injuries. This cowardly act, allegedly carried out by narco-terrorists, sent shock-waves across the State and deeply saddened all sections of Manipuri society, particularly the Meitei community to which the victims belonged.
Grief-stricken and outraged by the tragic loss, large numbers of people from across the valley gathered and moved towards a nearby CRPF camp close to the site of the incident. In the firing that ensued due to the immature and untrained brute force, the lives of 3(three) innocent people were lost and many were injured.
Such spontaneous public gatherings are not uncommon, as people often seek accountability from authorities responsible for maintaining law and order. In such situations, it is the duty of administrative and security forces to engage with the public, listen to their grievances, and respond with restraint and sensitivity. Even when a crowd turns agitated, established protocols exist to prevent escalation and minimise harm to civilians. Notably, no CRPF personnel were reported killed or injured on that day, raising serious concerns about the necessity and proportionality of their response, especially when contrasted with their apparent inaction during attacks on innocent villages.
Conclusion: In view of the prevailing ground realities, there is a growing perception that a section of security personnel deployed in Manipur—particularly the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF)—are not adequately equipped, either in training or in contextual understanding, to effectively handle the State’s complex and sensitive conditions. The situation in Manipur goes beyond a conventional law-and-order problem; it is deeply rooted in historical grievances, ethnic complexities, and a fragile socio-political fabric that demands a nuanced and context-sensitive approach. However, the conduct of some forces has at times appeared mechanical or disproportionate, further strai- ning relations and widening the trust deficit between civilians and security forces.
It is therefore imperative to undertake a comprehensive reassessment of exis- ting training, orientation, and operational frameworks, placing greater emphasis on local sensitivity, conflict de-escalation, and institutional accountability. Such reforms are essential to ensure that security forces function not merely as enforcers of law and order, but as credible agents of public trust and confidence. In this context, both the State and Central Governments must earnestly examine and implement the recommendations of various inquiry bodies. Doing so will be crucial in preventing the recurrence of such incidents, addressing long- standing grievances, and restoring faith in the system—alongside ensuring the prompt and strictest possible punishment of those found guilty.
The writer is a Writer & Political Activist