Manipur DGP talks tough: Return looted arms or no passport, no jobs, no papers

SIT will be set up to investigate the arms loot instances and if needed the cases would be handed over to NIA, Manipur DGP P Doungel said in Imphal today

In trouble-torn Manipur, DGP P Doungel today extended amnesty to all those people who had looted arms and ammunition and urged them to return the same over the next few days. They can return the weapons without having to reveal their identity. But those who do not comply will have to face stern action like they will not be issued passport, driving licence, other important official documents and not get jobs too.

“We appeal that the arms be returned because we have the CCTV footages and evidences. We know the people who are involved. Otherwise we will be forced to take very stringent actions like the person will not get passport and other important official documents. We will be taking up the investigations. SIT teams are being formed supervised by IG level officers and even other senior officers beyond that also and every case is being monitored carefully. And if needed it will be handed over to the NIA also. This is another step being considered,” DGP Doungel said talking tough.

DGP Doungel said that the looting of arms has been carried out in an organised manner taking advantage of large crowds of upto 5000 people.

“Till now incidents of arms looting have been reported from 7-8 places. It is not only that they have tried to loot from an armoury or a battalion but people (security personnel) getting isolated, their arms have also been taken away. The looting of the arms is very strange, very organised,” the DGP added.

Appealing for peace and calm, DGP Doungel urged upon the people not to create a situation where Army would be asked to take over. “Army does not deal in a way in which the police deal with the public. They (Army) have been trained to fight the enemy, whereas police are trained to control their own people. So the way in which the army will behave it will be very different. So we appeal to all the public to stay calm and be in their houses until the situation subsides”.

Addressing the media along with the DGP, ADGP L Kailun said, “We have deployed 14 companies in the valley areas, we are trying to deploy more. More and more forces are coming in a day or two. We want to control the situation, we want to appeal to the public that damaging public properties and harming civilians is not conducive. We have identified 23 police stations as very sensitive. We have deployed central paramilitary forces in all these 23 police stations and we have assigned a senior officer at each of the police stations. In addition to that we have formed several teams of police for attending any situation at any place.”

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