Mob protests suspension of Ccpur cop, one killed
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, February 15 2024: Over 30 persons were injured and one succumbed to bullet injuries in firing by the security forces on a mob protesting the suspension of Churachandpur police head constable Siamlalpaul.

The mob protested the suspension from around 7:40 pm in front of the Churachandpur SP office as suspension order issued by SP Shivanand Surve went viral on various social media groups.

Large number of people gathered in front of the SP's office situated near the Churachandpur DC office inside the mini secretariat demanding revocation of the suspension order.

Initially, the mob launched peaceful means of protest but took to violence as security forces including BSF, ITBP, and others fired teargas canisters and live rounds leading to the protesters storming the mini secretariat complex.

In the process some of the vehicles parked inside the mini secretariat complex were torched, the SP's office ransacked and attempt to ransack the DC office.

As security forces manning the mini secretariat opened fire, at-least 30 persons suffered bullet injuries and one got killed.

When this report was filed 3/4 ambulances rushed in to retrieve the injured.

Subsequent to video of head constable Siamlalpaul went viral on social media showing him mingling with armed miscreants, Churachandpur district superintendent of police Shivanand Surve on Thursday placed him under suspension.

The head constable of Churachandpur district police was suspended after he was allegedly seen with armed miscreants in a video posted on social media.

"Siamlalpaul has been kept under suspension with immediate effect until further orders", an order issued by the office of Churachandpur SP said.

"A departmental inquiry is being contemplated against Siamlalpaul, as a clip has gone viral on social media showing him making a video with armed persons on February 14," the order said.

Siamlalpaul has been asked not to "leave the station without prior permission" and "his pay and allowances have been restricted to subsistence allowance admissible as per the rules", it said.

An order issued by Shivanand Surve informed that a departmental enquiry under Rule 66 Part-Ill of Assam Police Manual (APM) is being contemplated against the head constable as the said act tantamount to very grave misconduct, being a member of disciplined police force.

During the period of suspension, the headquarters of head constable Siamlalpaul shall be Reserve Line, Churachandpur district headquarters and he shall not leave the station without prior permission, the SP directed, while adding that his pay and allowances is restricted to the subsistence allowances admissible as per the Rules.

Condemning the suspension of head constable Siamlalpaul, a large number of irate mobs tried to storm the SP's office, blocked the road in front of the office gate and set on fire wooden materials and other items available in front of the gate on Thursday evening.

When the protestors tried to storm the office, the police prevented it by closing the gate.

The mob then pelted stones towards the office and began indulging in violent activities.

Thought reports have been received that some of the protesters suffered injuries as police resorted to firing rubber bullets, tear gas canisters and even live round, casualty, if any, could not be ascertained till the time of filing this report.

Sources also informed that a section of the mob has surrounded the DC's office to exert pressure on the government authorities to revoke the suspension order.

Meanwhile, the 5th India Reserve Battalion, Chingarel, Imphal East commandant H Balram Singh has ordered suspension of six IRB personnel on the charge of grave negligence and dereliction of duties in connection with the looting of arms and ammunition on February 13 from the battalion's post.

An order issued by the commandant informed that disciplinary proceeding is being contemplated against IRB personnel namely K Binoy Singh, Kh Kaba Liangmei, Ng Sanatomba Singh, M Binod Kumar, D Ishak, Md Jabar Khan and Manoj Kumar Bhattarai and as such placed under suspension with immediate effect and until further order.

It further ordered that during the period of suspension, their headquarters shall be 5th IRB Bn HQ, Chingarel and they will not leave their headquarters without obtaining the prior permission.

They will be entitled subsistence allowances as admissible under the rules during the period of their suspension, it added.

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