Imphal, November 09: H Premjit, Dy Commandant 121 CRPF today testified before the Upendra Commission that had the CRPF jawans not fired to disperse the crowd of June 18, they would have killed the family of the Chief Minister, burnt their bungalow and looted the armoury of the CRPF.

Premjit who was deployed at the Chief Minister's Bungalow on that day told the Commission that a huge crowd surged in towards 1st gate at 1.30 pm.

The mob turned violent and burnt down the Advisor (K) quarters, official residence of the Chief Minister and vehicles.

As the situation went out of control, he ordered the CRPF jawans to form a line inside the VIP entry gate to resist the protestors.

He also ordered to fire to quell the protestors if required, he added.

Premjit said that he being a Manipuri and a resident of Imphal, requested the crowd not to indulge in violence.

However, instead of listening to his pleas, the protestors started inflicting damages on properties.

When crossed, examined by the counsel of the victims, the CRPF officer admitted that he can only ask for reinforcement; the decision of complying with his request rests upon the Commandant.

The reinforcement arrived at the Chief Minister's Bungalow after the firing incident and the protestors had been dispersed, he added.

The crowd crossed the VIP gate and proceeded for around 10-15 ft towards the residence of the Chief Minister and the protesters surrounding the security personnel numbered around 2-3 thousands, he said adding that even after firing in the air, the mob remained intact.

He testified that he cannot give the exact number of rounds fired in the air and in the ground as he did not fire them personally.

He also fell down on the ground and as such he cannot say at which direction the jawans fired.

The officer also denied the suggestion that CRPF jawans fired directly towards the mob and that his service revolver was not snatched.

He admitted that four persons received injuries in the firing.

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