Guwahati/Imphal, Jan 22: In a rare gesture, Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh has awarded a Commendation Certificate to the Assam Police Director General and eight other police officers for providing training to 1,946 police personnel of Manipur, officials said on Wednesday.

A spokesman of Assam police said that the Manipur Chief Minister has awarded the Commendation Certificates to Assam police DGP G.P. Singh, Special DGP Harmeet Singh and seven other officers in recognition of providing training to the Manipur police personnel.

The Commendation Certificate was received by Inspector General of Assam Police, Law and Order, Akhilesh Kumar Singh in Imphal at a function on the occasion of Statehood Day on Tuesday.

In all, 1,984 recruits of Manipur police took part in training at the Lachit Borphukan Police Academy (LBPA) in January last year and 1,946 recruits successfully completed their training on December 23 last year.

The Manipur Chief Minister attended the passing out parade of the newly recruited Manipur police personnel at LBPA at Dergaon in Assam’s Golaghat district on December 23.

Chief Minister Singh had said that since the situation in Manipur is not conducive, he earlier approached Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma to provide training to the new recruits of Manipur police personnel and Sarma immediately agreed.

“Assam and Manipur’s old relationship is once again visible,” Singh had said and appreciated the Assam Chief Minister, Assam Police DGP, Special DGP and other Assam police officers for providing training to the newly recruited Manipur police personnel.

According to officials, out of the 1,946 recruits, caste distribution is diverse with 62 per cent being non-tribal Meiteis, 12 per cent being tribal Kuki-Zo and the remaining 26 per cent belonging to Naga and other tribes. Manipur Chief Minister earlier said that given the current law and order situation in the state, the newly recruited constables would undergo specialised training.

“The specialised training is essential to enhance the strength and readiness of the police force to ensure safety and security across Manipur. We are committed to equipping our police personnel with the best facilities and training to meet any challenges effectively,” Singh had said.

Mumbai, Jan 22: Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Nirupam defended his remarks about Bollywood actor Saif Ali Khan’s “swift” recovery following a knife attack at his Bandra residence, urging the actor’s family to clarify the events surrounding the incident.

Nirupam’s remarks came after Saif was discharged from Lilavati Hospital just five days after sustaining serious injuries, including spinal and neck injuries, during a burglary attempt at his 12th-floor flat in the upscale ‘Satguru Sharan’ building.

Speaking to Media, Nirupam said, “Whatever happened to Saif Ali Khan on January 16 is deeply concerning. While we respect the family, it is surprising to see Saif looking fit enough to shoot just days after being discharged. The doctors had stated the knife penetrated 2.5 inches into his back, requiring a six-hour operation. How is such a swift recovery medically possible?”

He added that Saif’s rapid recovery raises questions about the initial severity of the injuries described by doctors and witnesses. Nirupam demanded that both the family and the medical team provide clarity on the “horrific” knife attack.

“When Saif was attacked, it became a matter of law and order in Mumbai. Opposition leaders accused the government and Home Minister of failing. In such a situation, the family should explain what transpired,” Nirupam said.

Nirupam also commented on the accused, Mohammad Shariful Islam Shehzad, a Bangladeshi national arrested by the Mumbai Police. He called for strict action against such individuals, citing the involvement of Bangladeshis in criminal activities in the city.

The Mumbai Police arrested the accused, a 30-year-old Bangladeshi national, from Thane city. The intruder allegedly stabbed Saif multiple times during a struggle, escaping the scene and hiding in the building’s garden for two hours before fleeing.

“The police will have to be given some benefit of the doubt because when such an incident takes place, a big incident occurs, then there is a lot of pressure on the police, and when it is felt from all sides that law and order has collapsed,” he said.

“I do not think it is right to doubt the capability of Mumbai police immediately, as it is sufficient to solve any type of criminal incident,” Nirupam said.

The 54-year-old actor, who underwent neurosurgery and plastic surgery, was advised complete bed rest for a week and has been asked to avoid visitors to prevent infection. Despite his injuries, Saif walked out of the hospital without a wheelchair, escorted by heavy police security.

Meanwhile, Saif has returned to his Bandra home under tight security. The actor has been advised to focus on his recovery as the investigation continues.

New Delhi, Jan 22: The Supreme Court on Wednesday delivered a split verdict on a plea filed by former Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) councillor and Delhi riots accused Tahir Hussain seeking interim bail to campaign for the Delhi Assembly elections.

The Asaduddin Owaisi-led All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) has fielded Hussain as a candidate from the Mustafabad constituency.

In the split verdict by the two-judge bench of the Top Court, while Justice Pankaj Mithal dismissed Hussain’s petition, Justice Ahsanuddin Amanullah was inclined to order his release on interim bail in view of his incarceration of over four years on the charge of being an instigator during the 2020 riots in the national Capital.

Resultantly, it was ordered to place the file before the Chief Justice of India Justice Sanjiv Khanna, who is the master of the roster, to refer the matter to another bench.

On Tuesday, the Top Court sought the Delhi Police’s response observing that Hussain’s long incarceration of over four years would entitle him to regular bail.

“Suppose we are satisfied on merit that a ground is made for considering regular bail, why should we not grant him? We can’t shut our eyes to that,” Justice Amanullah told the Delhi Police.

The top court on Monday had adjourned the hearing till January 22 on his petition seeking interim bail.

When mentioned for urgent hearing, Justice Mithal had remarked: “It is easy to win elections sitting in jail. All such persons should be barred from contesting elections.”

Last week, the Delhi High Court turned down Hussain’s plea for interim bail but granted him parole to enable him to file nomination papers for the upcoming Assembly polls.

As per the order of the Delhi High Court, Hussain, while out on custody parole, will not have any access to the phone or Internet, will not interact with any person except the officials concerned in the nomination process, and will not address the media.

On January 14, the Justice Krishna-led Bench reserved its decision after hearing the arguments raised by senior advocate Rebecca John, representing the former Councillor, and Additional Solicitor General Chetan Sharma, who appeared on behalf of Delhi Police.

Opposing Hussain’s interim bail plea, ASG Sharma said that the AIMIM candidate, facing “gruesome allegations”, may file his nomination papers from Tihar jail or under custody parole. Sharma added that there is no fundamental right to contest elections and if released on interim bail, Hussain may influence witnesses.