Police appeal against use of firearms in protests
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, September 15 2024: While expressing concern over use of automatic firearms and tear gas shells against the police for the first time during the protests in the valley in the.

past few days, Manipur police has appealed to the people in each locality to control such incidents from happening in the future.

Addressing a press conference at the conference hall of Imphal West SP here on Sunday, DIG Range-I N Herojit said that in addition to maintaining law and order in the state, Manipur Police has been guarding against attacks from armed groups in fringe areas while many police personnel have been killed and others injured.

Amid this, protests rocked parts of the valley over the past few days and for the first time, automatic firearms and teargas shells were fired against the police, in addition to use of slingshots to fire ball bearings and pelting of stones.

Herojit said, "We want to remind the public that the police department's duty is to maintain law and order and to respond to armed attacks by miscreants.

We have sustained multiple casualties during these challenging times".

Highlighting the shift in protest tactics, the DIG said, "In recent agitations, traditional forms of protests have been replaced with lethal methods targeting security forces.

Demonstrators have engaged in stone pelting, shooting iron pieces from slingshots, firing tear gas shells, and using automatic firearms".

"We haye evidence of automatic weapons being fired during protests.

At Khabeisoi, firing from automatic weapons injured an officer in-charge of Imphal East Commando and another personnel recently.

In Kakwa, Imphal West district, bring from automatic weapons left marks on our vehicles," he claimed.

Requesting for restraint, he emphasised, "We want to say that police forces use maximum restraint when dealing with protesters.

Although there has been no retaliation from police in response to automatic weapon fire, we have reports of protesters getting injured when we use minimal, non-lethal anti-riot measures".

On the issue of non-local agitators, the DIG said, "During protests, we have detained people from outside the localities.

We urge people to use democratic and non-violent methods for their demands.

Entering highly sensitive areas and destroying public property will be met with strong measures.

Police are part of the community and not the enemy.

Protests aimed primarily at targeting and attacking the police should cease immediately".

Herojit also advised against live coverage of protests, which can incite others to join.

"Without law and order, society cannot function.

If conventional methods to maintain law and order fail and alternative measures are used, it will be unfortunate for everyone," he said.

He continued that the burst firing from amongst the protestors injured many Imphal East district commando personnel including the OC and left bullet holes on the bullet proof vehicle and Casspir of the district SP.

While the police are extremely regretful over the injuries caused in the course of anti-riot exercise, he cautioned individuals not to take advantage of women and student-led protests to attack the police with sophisticated weapons.

He further appealed to all to protest for any of their demands in a democratic manner.

Herojit also urged the people to take the permission from authority concerned and inform the police prior to carrying out any protest as the police are ready to take requisite measures to ensure the protests do not disturb the law and order and prevent any incident which could damage public property.

The officer continued that Manipur Police is part of the society and its officers and personnel someone's sibling or relative.

As such, any intentional attack against the personnel taking undue advantage of a protest is unfortunate, he said, while appealing to all concerned against live coverage of any protest site with an intention to further fuel the violence.

Joining the media briefing, Imphal East SP K Meghachandra said that incidents of use of sophisticated weapons against police over the past few days have resulted in numerous injuries.

On top of pelting stones at police vehicles, shots were fired at the vehicles especially occupied by the officer in-charge, and at Casspir.

He continued that the individuals, after firing the weapons, retreated and hide amongst the protestors.

As such, he urged against blaming the police for using excessive force when it is merely trying to take control of the individuals.

He then said that protests which are being taken advantage of by individuals with sinister intentions are only bringing shame to Manipur internationally.

He urged for carrying out any protest under the command of a proper leader, while further urging against using women and children as human shield.

Manipur police will not stand idle and watch its personnel getting attacked.

Even if the police restrained themselves from hurting the civilians, the continued attacks will only push the police to respond in kind.

At that time, the people should take responsibility and not blame the police only, he said, and appealed to all to prevent such incidents from happening in the future.

Imphal West district SP Ksh Shivakanta, who also attended the press conference, said that the innocent civilians had to bear the brunt of the chaos which befell after some unidentified armed persons fired at the police during protests in the past few days.

Manipur Police does not want the civilians to be harmed but if such attacks continue, the police will retaliate and it could lead to more injuries.

He continued that the police will extend all possible help when people protest in a peaceful and democratic matter.

In controlling any chaos, it is inevitable for either or both the police and the people to make a mistake.

Thus, he urged for cooperation in identifying and rectifying the wrongs and working towards the best path to ensure the people's demands are fulfilled.

Informing that reports of tear gas shells and sophisticated weapons against police, pelting of stones at residences for not opening their gates and kicking down the closed gates, are being received by police; he appreciated the people of Kakwa and Singjamei Waikhom Leikai for coming out and helping the police in controlling the protest on Saturday.

He then appealed to people in each locality to control the non-local individuals who, under the influence of substances, try to create and fuel the chaos in protest sites.

The chaos which unfolded during the night have no relevance whatsoever with the on-going conflict in the state, he remarked.

The SP also informed of CCTV cameras installed along the roads for security reasons being destroyed.

He explained that the cameras were installed with the idea of apprehending culprits in hit-and-run accidents, abductions or kidnappings and other criminal activities.

Thus, he Urged against such unruly conduct in the future and appealed to the people to help the police in maintaining law and order in the state.

The press conference was also attended by top police officers of Imphal East and West districts.

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