Manipur police appeal for sanity, explain social media shutdown
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, July 20 2018: Clay Khongsai, Inspector General of Police (Law and Order) Zone 1 has appealed to the public not to resort to undemocratic forms of protest and has also clarified that the shutdown of mobile internet service is to stop the false news and fake rumours about the present issues from spreading in social media.

He made the statement during a press conference held at Imphal West SP conference hall today, which was also attended by DIG K Jayentakumar, SP Imphal West H Jogeshchandra and SP Imphal East K Meghachandra.

Clay Khongsai said that the 48 hours general strike went on peacefully till yesterday evening before the womenfolk of different parts of Imphal West and Imphal East began taking out Meira rallies.

Police were given strict instruction to prevent any kind of unwanted incidents due to the Meira rallies and the rallies were peaceful in almost all the places, except at Uripok and Singjamei area, he added.

He conveyed that in the said places, some intoxicated youth without any kind of discipline were following the Meira rally near the end and started attacking the police personnel by pelting stones and using sling shots without any care that their actions might hurt the womenfolk who were in the front.

The police restrained from taking actions looking after the safety of the womenfolk as much they could in Uripok and Singjamei area.

If the police had not restrained as much as they did last night then the situation might have been completely different, he explained.

He also claimed that as the agitation was staged in the night time, many innocent civilians got injured by the wires, ropes and other object which were scattered and placed to obstruct vehicular movement on the roads.

Singjamei PS has also taken up a case in connection with the manhandling of media persons during the general strike and in connection with the damages done by the general strike supporters to police vehicles.

He continued that police have also detained a student of Manipur University along with liquor and the said member was produced before the Court where he was told not to continue such acts in the future.

Clay Khongsai further appealed to the public to launch democratic forms of protest in the day time by taking prior permission from the authority concerned and also appealed to the people not to stage any kind of protests in restricted areas.

He also clarified that the steps to shutdown internet services in the State has been taken up following the spread of false news and rumours in social media sites in connection with the present situation of the State and the police have also taken up an enquiry in connection with such spread of baseless rumour.

On the other hand, DIG K Jayentakumar said that police are present to maintain law and order and are looking after the public in their best interest.

Public can take up democratic forms of protest for their democratic rights but without damaging public properties, he added.

He further appealed to all those concerned to mobilize and organize orderly and proper democratic protest and also appealed all not to provoke the police personnel or confront them or throw stones and rocks towards police personnel.

He continued that it is very unfortunate that some people are engaged in misguiding the womenfolk to get in confrontation with police.

SP Imphal West H Jogeshchandra explained that the agitation carried out in the last two days cannot be considered as a democratic form of protest as the rally held yesterday involved attack upon police personnel.

He appealed all not to carry out protest in restricted areas nor force police to use excessive force.

SP Imphal East K Meghachandra appealed to the public to properly consider the inconveniences which will be caused to others before taking out any kind of protest.

He also said that it is very unfortunate that in the night time people took up the protest in whatever manner they like under the influence of liquor at a time when police are trying their level best by holding community policing and Miyamgi Numit in different parts of the State for the benefits of the people.

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