Imphal, November 03: The OC Imphal west police station, Inspector Rameshwar Singh, continued his testimony today before the C Upendra commission of inquiry in connection with the happenings of June 18.Inspector Rameshwar, who testified that necessary security measures were taken by the existing state security forces prior to June 18, gave a detailed account of the security arrangements made by himself from June 14 to 18 after receiving a report of the signing of the Bangkok agreement and instructions from the police headquarters to take necessary steps to maintain law and order.

On his movements on June 18, he said he went on duty at 6 am, and conducted regular patrolling with his escort in the area under his jurisdiction.

At around 8 am, people started coming out on the main roads, including the Tiddim Road, Sagolband Road, Pishum Road and Uripok Road and started blocking the way by piling logs and stones, burning tyres and scattering broken glass.

He said he and his team attempted to clear the roads but in vain.

He stated at around 9:30 am, at Keishampat junction he saw a police party try to disperse the crowd by conducting lathi charge and firing tear gas shells, but due to the huge size of the crowd which continued to pour in from various directions, the existing security forces were unable to control them.

Several police officers, including himself, the SP, Imphal west and DIG Range, were kept surrounded by the huge crowd near Keisampat bridge on that morning, he said.

Later, he stated, the police officers one by one started moving towards the Raj Bhavan gate where the people from different directions had gathered to meet the Governor.

He added that attempts were made by the security forces to disperse the crowd with lathi charges and tear gas, but they failed.

He said he was trying to disperse the crowd near the GM Hall at around 1:30 pm when he heard gunshots.

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