The Manipur Police Department has warned that it will take necessary anti-riot actions if agitators continue attacking security forces with lethal weapons, including firearms.
The warning was issued on Sunday following an agitation at Kakwa on Saturday which escalated into violence. The police reported that bulletproof vehicles belonging to the Superintendents of Police (SP) of Imphal West and East were damaged by bullets, allegedly fired by protestors.
Tension among protestors heightened after an eight-month pregnant woman, who had been in the ICU due to critical suffocation from tear gas fired during an earlier agitation in Imphal, delivered a stillborn foetus on Thursday. The incident raised numerous questions from the public, though the doctor stated that the delivery was normal.
Deputy Inspector General of Police, Range I, N Herojit, addressed the media on Sunday at a press conference held at the SP Imphal West conference hall. He stated that during efforts to control an irate mob in the Kakwa area, armed miscreants allegedly attacked Manipur Police with firearms and tear gas shells.
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The miscreants even fired in burst mode at the bulletproof vehicle of the SP, Imphal East. The incident took place around 11.30 pm on Saturday, he added.
“It is unfortunate that, unlike earlier protests, the police are now facing protestors retaliating with lethal weapons, including petrol bombs, sharp iron pieces launched from slingshots, and automatic firearms,” said Herojit.
Earlier, during 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 in Khabeisoi, Imphal East. This occurred while they were controlling a mob attempting to storm the 7th Manipur Rifles in an effort to loot firearms from the armory.
Herojit emphasized that Manipur Police used minimal force when controlling the mob, prioritizing public safety. He urged the public to protest in a democratic manner, without damaging public property.
“Police are not the enemy; they are also sons of the soil. Armed miscreants blending in with protestors and intentionally targeting the police must be stopped. Don’t push the police to take extreme action while controlling a mob,” Herojit added.
He also appealed to individuals not to share LIVE videos of protests, as these could incite further violence.
Since September 10, the Manipur government has banned mobile data and internet services as a precautionary measure to control escalating violence in the Imphal area.
SP Imphal West, Ksh Shivakanta, reported that 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, reportedly from within the crowd of protestors. Additionally, there were reports of armed miscreants threatening residents to open their gates to provide hiding places if the police initiated strict action against the protestors.
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Shivakanta urged the public to avoid violent protests, especially at night, and to refrain from engaging in such activities under the influence of intoxicants.
Imphal East SP K Meghachandra noted that the police have repeatedly encountered situations where armed miscreants used innocent protestors as human shields to attack the police with lethal weapons.
He warned these miscreants to stop using innocent civilians as shields, as this could lead to serious consequences. He further stated that the public would be held responsible if severe repercussions arose from such protests.
