Shoot at sight order issued to contain situation : DG
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, May 05 2023: DGP P Doungel has stated that the 'shoot at sight' order has been given to control the tense situation and help bring normalcy and added that the conflict was not expected and it happened very suddenly.

Addressing media persons at Manipur Police Headquarters today, Doungel said 'after ADGP (Intelligence) Ashutosh Sinha was made overall operational commander and arrival of Central Paramilitary Force the situation has slightly improved if not controlled completely' .

When asked how the Deputy Commissioner and the Superintendent of the Police allowed the rally to take place despite Section 144 being imposed, Doungel said, "The citizens have the right to demonstrate and conduct peace rallies in a democratic set up.

On the other hand, it is the duty of the police to enforce Section 144 imposed by the administration" .

Shoot at sight order issued to contain situation : DG

He continued that there has been an incident in which nine people were killed in Churachandpur when protests were banned.

To avoid a larger conflict at the time, the DC and the SP must have considered all eventualities and they must have decided to allow the rally to proceed on their own wisdom and understanding of the situation.

When asked if the people on both sides were instigated by few people, Doungel said that conflict manifests when people on both sides are encouraged and instigated and as such the Centre has intervened.

He continued that swift and safe evacuation of stranded and displaced people to a safe place is the best option, but added that there are security concerns that they may come under attack while being evacuated.

Even my vehicle was 'destroyed', said the DGP and added that as such, complete evacuation at present may be risky.

Doungel said the State has opened three shelter homes.

Two of the shelters have about 8,000 people each and the other has about 9,000 people.

With the Central Government's intervention and public cooperation, the situation has improved slightly.

Normalcy may return after some days, he added.

Taking part in the media briefing, Additional DGP (Law and Order) L Kailun said that people stranded and taking shelter in Moreh, Churachandpur and other places have been provided "area security." .

He said, when the situation becomes favourable, the people stuck in these areas will be evacuated after consulting with the civil society organisations (CSOs) .

Answering queries of the media, Kailun said the State police are providing all possible help and assistance to the people who have been affected by the violent conflict.

The conflict started after the May 3 ATSUM's "Solidarity Rally" which turned ugly and violent with mobs and rioters damaging and burning houses and properties.

With heightened tension, the next day witnessed many more houses burnt and hundreds of people displaced.

Kailun said "area security" has been provided to people stranded and displaced in Moreh, Churachandpur and other places.

He said besides providing security, the police are taking all steps to safely evacuate the people to nearest and more secure places.

When the situation becomes favourable, civil society organisations will be consulted for evacuation of all people.

When asked about reports of people snatching arms and ammunition from the police, Kailun said there have been reports that arms have been snatched from some vulnerable police outposts.

The matter cannot be clearly mentioned due to security reasons at present, he added.

The Additional DGP then appealed to the people concerned to return the arms snatched from the police.

If they don't want to be identified, then they may inform the place where they stashed the arms for recovery, he added.

If they return the arms willingly then they will not be branded criminals but treated as part of a mob.

If they don't return the arms, when they are arrested, cases will be slapped against them with appropriate actions, he said.

Kailun also debunked a "rumour" spreading on social media and said the videos alleging rape of a woman going viral are "unsubstantiated" and all the videos seem the "same" .

When asked if there is external aggression in the conflict, Kailun said no concrete evidence is there to suggest the same.

While there is no concrete evidence, there have been reports of "militants" firing at Bishnupur and Kangpokpi district and efforts are on to verify this, he said.

Kailun further said police fire bullets only when all options have been exhausted to control a mob.

However, if the mob contains armed militants or persons and they shoot at the police, then police will retaliate.

When asked about the casualty and properties damaged, Kailun said there have been casualties and properties damaged in Bishnupur, Churachandpur, Imphal East and Imphal West, but the figures cannot be divulged due to security and public safety reasons.

On security measures put in place, he said in the valley region, 14 companies of BSF, RAF and CRPF have been deployed and such forces will gradually be deployed to cover all the remaining regions of the State.

Another 20 companies of the Central Paramilitary Force have started arriving.

23 sensitive police stations have been identified and a senior police officer each has been assigned to these stations in addition to sending additional forces for better protection and security of the people and properties.

Strict actions will be taken against any personnel of the police found involved and abetting the conflict, he added.