Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, November 12:
The ongoing C Upendra Commission of Inquiry recorded the statement of Karanjit Singh who was one of the CRPF jawans who fired shots near Maharani Traffic point and Uripok areas on July 20 at the Kuki Inn today.
Karanjit testified that six CRPF jawans fired only one round each and added that he himself did not warn the protestors before opening fire.
The crowd dispersed immediately after the firing, he said adding that he cannot tell the size of the stone that hit him and who threw it.
He was at the Wahengbam Leikai Bridge when he fired and there was no civil police official near him, he said.
Later he was positioned at Shamu Makhong but did not know towards which directions the other jawans were firing.
He denied suggestions that he did not fire in the air and also fired more than one round.
He also disagreed that curfew was not imposed on that day.
When cross-examined by the UCM counsel, Karanjit said that their platoon consisting of 20 personnel took about 15 to 20 minutes to cover the distance from their vehicle till Uripok Traffic point on foot.
He also said that he did not know how many jawans were carrying SLRs on that day.
The Jawan also denied suggestions that protestors were not violent and they dispersed on using water canon.