Police form panel to probe 'use of excess force
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, September 29 2023: Manipur police has formed a committee to look into the allegations of using "excess force" against student protestors by security forces.

The order of formation of the probe committee was issued on Thursday by director general of police (DGP) Rajiv Singh.

"There has been various reports/allegations of use of excess force by the security forces during maintenance of law and order situation in the last few days in Imphal area," the DGP said in the order.

He added: "To verify such com plaints/allegations, a committee is being formed to look into the issues and submit the report at the earliest".

The two-member committee will be headed by IG K Jayanta Singh and assisted by AIG Th Sanatomba Singh.

Students in Manipur, especially in the valley areas, have been taking to the streets for the past few days demanding justice for the two Meitei students, who were 'killed' by suspected Kuki militants.

It has been alleged that the Manipur police and other security forces have been using "excessive and brute force" against the student protestors, many of whom are school-going.

A meeting was held at the Manipur police headquarters on Thursday evening among senior officers of central armed police force (CAPF) "to discuss the present law and order situation" in the state.

In the meeting, it was decided that "minimum force" will be used while dealing with student protestors.

"The officers were apprised of the unfortunate injuries of students as well as security personnel.

The forces discussed to use minimum force in dealing with the public especially students," Manipur police informed in a statement.

The Manipur police further appealed to the students in the state to "co-operate with law enforcement agencies".

"Manipur police appeals to the students to co-operate with law enforcement agencies in maintaining peace and bringing normalcy back early," the statement said.

It adds: "Any miscreants taking advantage of the current situation will be firmly dealt by police".

Notably, the Manipur police and other security forces in Manipur have been criticised for alleged use of "excessive and brute force" against student protestors.

Manipur police, on numerous occasion in the past, was accused of using "excessive force" against protestors.

Allegations of such use of "excessive and brute" force by Manipur police to control student protestors in the valley areas of the state in the past few days have been levelled by many organisations and political leaders.

Despite claims by Manipur police that "security forces employ minimum force to control protesters", visuals emerging out of the state speak otherwise.

Many visuals have emerged out of Manipur showing police personnel and other armed forces resorting to tear gas shelling, baton-charging to disperse crowds of protesting students.

Meanwhile, a photo, purportedly taken somewhere in Imphal valley of Manipur, shows shopkeeper of a stationery shop, putting up a poster stating personnel and relatives of central armed forces are not allowed to buy items in the shop.

This poster was put up by the shopkeeper after "brutal assault and high-handedness" of security forces in Manipur against student protestors.

The poster reads: "No customer allowed who are AR (Assam Rifles), RAF (Rapid Action Force), Assam Regiment, India Army including their relation".

Notably, it is being reported that the shopkeeper took this step of 'banning' central armed forces personnel from selling items in the shop after nearly fifty (50) students sustained injuries, some critical, in police and security forces' action.

It may be mentioned here that Manipur police and other central security forces are in an eye of storm following alleged "use of excess force" against student protestors, including school-going.

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