Necessary anti-riot actions will be exercised if agitators attack police with lethal weapons: Manipur Police

Imphal: Manipur Police has warned to take necessary anti-riot actions if agitators continue attacking security forces with lethal weapons.

The state police department made the warning on the backdrop of the escalated Kakwa agitation on Saturday.

Bulletproof vehicles belonging to the Superintendents of Police (SP) of Imphal West and East were damaged by bullets, allegedly fired by protestors.

Tension escalated among protestors after an 8-month pregnant woman at ICU (RIMS hospital), critically suffering from suffocation of tear gas allegedly fired by security personnel, delivered a foetus on Thursday which invited questions from the public as the doctor said the foetus was delivered normally.

People had been taking up demonstrations demanding to hand over Unified Command authority to Manipur government in which many agitators suffered due to security forces actions. The pregnant woman was in her house when a tear gas shell landed there.

Deputy Inspector General of Police, Range I, N. Herojit, told reporters on Sunday at a press conference held at the SP Imphal West conference hall that during efforts to control an irate mob in the Kakwa area, armed miscreants allegedly attacked the Manipur Police with firearms and tear gas shells. The miscreants even fired in burst mode at the bulletproof vehicle of the SP, Imphal East.

“It is unfortunate that the police are now facing protestors retaliating with lethal weapons, including petrol bombs, sharp iron pieces launched from catapults, and automatic firearms,” Herojit said.

In the intervening night of September 6 and 7, the officer-in-charge of the Imphal East commando unit, along with another personnel, sustained bullet injuries, allegedly fired by protestors at Khabeisoi in Imphal East. This occurred while they were controlling a mob attempting to storm the 7th Manipur Rifles in an effort to ‘loot firearms’.

The senior police officer said Manipur Police used minimal force when controlling the mob, keeping in mind of public safety. He urged the public to conduct protests in a democratic manner, without damaging public property.

“Police are not enemies. They are also sons of the soil. Armed miscreants blending in with protestors and targeting the police intentionally must be stopped. Don’t force the police to take extreme action in controlling a mob,” Herojit said.

He also appealed to individuals not to share live videos of protests, which could instigate further violence.

Imphal West SP Ksh. Shivakanta said during the Kakwa protest on Saturday night, his bulletproof vehicle was struck by more than 15 bullets, allegedly fired by protestors. He also mentioned that a video circulating on social media showed tear gas shells being fired at police from among the crowd of protestors. There were reports of armed miscreants threatening residents to open their gates to provide hiding places, he added.

Shivakanta urged the public to avoid violent protests and refrain from engaging in such activities under the influence of intoxicants.

Imphal East SP K. Meghachandra, said the public would be solely responsible if severe consequences arise out of violent protests.