The Manipur Police have raised alarms about the increasing use of automatic weapons during recent protests, underscoring the dangerous shift in protest tactics and their impact on law enforcement.
In a press briefing on Sunday, Deputy Inspector General (Range 1) N Herojit Singh revealed that sophisticated weapons are now being employed against security personnel. “We have evidence of automatic weapons being fired during protests. For instance, in Kakwa, Imphal West district, we found bullet marks on our vehicles as a result of such firing,” Singh reported.
The police officer expressed grave concerns over the escalation in violence, which has seen traditional protest methods replaced by lethal tactics. “Protesters are no longer just throwing stones or using slingshots. We are now encountering automatic firearms, which is a significant escalation,” Singh said.
Singh highlighted that recent incidents include the injury of an officer in-charge of the Imphal East Commando and another policeman due to automatic weapon fire at Khabeisoi. The officer reassured that despite the use of such weapons by protesters, the police have maintained maximum restraint, only deploying minimal, non-lethal anti-riot measures in response.
The Deputy Inspector General also addressed the issue of external interference in local protests. “We have detained individuals from outside localities who were found participating in acts of sabotage. We urge all participants to engage in democratic and non-violent methods,” he said. Singh emphasized that destructive actions targeting public property and the police would be met with stringent measures.
Furthermore, Singh requested the media to avoid live coverage of protests, suggesting that such broadcasts could incite further unrest and exacerbate the situation. He stressed the importance of maintaining law and order for societal function and warned of the unfortunate consequences if alternative measures become necessary.
In summary, the Manipur Police are grappling with a new level of violence in protests, and authorities are calling for a return to peaceful demonstration methods and greater community support to restore order.
Sources By Agencies
