The Manipur Police have put the whole blame to unknown instigators who were acting behind Tuesday’s student protests at Khwairamband Bazar and Kakwa in Imphal West which turned into confrontations with the security forces.
Speaking to the media at the Manipur Police headquarters in Imphal, IGP (Int) K Kabib claimed that the protests, originally intended as peaceful demonstrations, spiraled into violent confrontations with involvement of instigators involving firearms at Kakwa and the use of petrol bombs at Khwairamband Bazar.
Incidents also included the deployment of sling shots with iron and stone projectiles, he added.
The clashes resulted in injuries to over 70 students and more than 10 police personnel, including a VDF personnel, he informed, expressing concerns over the involvement of juveniles in these protests.
Emphasising that many students involved were underage, he questioned the guardianship of these juveniles, urging parents to prevent their wards from staying overnight at protest sites, possibly under coercion from external elements.
“The students do not initiate violence on their own,” IGP Kabib stated, highlighting the role of non-local instigators in instigating unrest.
He appealed to the public, particularly parents, to monitor their children closely and report any coercion to the police promptly.
Highlighting the disruptive impact of the violence on security operations, the IGP noted that the protests had diverted resources from patrolling fringe areas.
In response to the deteriorating situation, an indefinite curfew and internet blackout were imposed to restore law-and-order and prevent the spread of misinformation.
“While the police support democratic and peaceful protests,” IGP Kabib added, “we urge organisers to refrain from involving outsiders, which risks tarnishing local reputations.”
He assured that relaxation of restrictions would be considered as the situation permits.
The Police Control Room, Manipur Police on Tuesday stated that the congregation that gathered at BT Road and attempted to proceed towards Raj Bhavan was in violation of prohibitory curfew order issued by District Magistrate, Imphal West.
The security personnel on duty along with an Executive Magistrate tried to pacify the congregation and warned them to disperse peacefully, stated a release.
However, the protestors, with possible infiltration of miscreants, ignored the warnings and turned violent, after which they started pelting stones towards the Police personnel, it stated.
Hence in order to disperse the violent mob, with order of Executive Magistrate, mild force was utilized by the Police and CAPF personnel. In the follow-up action, several people including police personnel got minor injuries and are undergoing treatment at various hospitals, it stated.
In another similar incident at Kakwa Bazar, a large number of people including students, gathered illegally by violating prohibitory curfew order issued by District Magistrate, Imphal West, in front of Kakwa Cinema Hall along NH-102. They tried to march towards Raj Bhavan and meet with the governor, it stated.
The Police personnel on duty warned the gathered people to disperse as they were violating curfew orders. However, ignoring the warnings, the unruly mob tried to move forward by removing the Police barricade and pelting stones, it stated.
In order to disperse the violent mob, Police personnel and CAPF personnel used mild force after due orders from the Executive Magistrate, it said. In the ensuing police action, three civilians and one RAF personnel received minor injuries, it added.
It urged the public to restrain from resorting to violent forms of protest, stating that protests and demonstrations may be done in a peaceful manner after taking due permission from the concerned authorities.
There are numerous reports of fake news and rumours of sensitive nature doing rounds in social media which may further fuel the ongoing law and order situation, it stated.
Police are monitoring such fake news and rumours on social media critically and strong legal action will be taken up against anyone circulating any such fake news or rumours, it said.
It further stated that search operations and area domination were conducted by security forces in the fringe and vulnerable areas of hill and valley districts.
During the search operations, one .303 Sniper Rifle, one 7.62mm Sniper Rifle, one SBBL gun, one Improvised Long Range Mortar (Pumpi), one Improvised Short Range Mortar, one Mobile IED, four HE-36 hand grenades with detonator, three Stun shells, three Anti-riot rubber bullet, thirteen live ammunition, two Long Range bomb, one Baofeng Radio Set, six blank rounds, one Tear smoke shell CS, two Tear smoke shell Dual and two 36 Arming rings from Lhunkhojang Ridge, Kangpokpi, it stated
Movement of 120 and 176 vehicles along NH-37 and NH-2 with respectively essential items has been ensured. Strict security measures are taken up in all vulnerable locations and security convoys are provided in sensitive stretches in order to ensure free and safe movement of the vehicles, it added.
A total of 112 Nakas/ Checkpoints were installed in different Districts of Manipur, both in the hill and the valley and Police detained 1316 persons in connection with violations in different districts of the state, it stated.
It appealed to the general public not to believe in rumors and be aware of false videos. Any circulation of unfounded videos etc. may be confirmed from the rumor free number 9233522822 of the Central Control room, it stated.
It further appealed to the public to return the looted arms, ammunition and explosives to the police or nearest security forces immediately.
