Manipur DGP constitutes 2-member committee to probe allegations of use of ‘excess force’

Manipur DGP Rajiv Singh has constituted a 2-member committee to investigate allegations levelled against the police and security forces that they used ‘excessive force’ while controlling protestors, mostly young students, during the recent protests that took place couple of days back.

The Committee headed by IGP K Jayanta Singh and assisted by AAIG Sanatomba Singh has been directed to look into the issues and submit a report at the earliest.

DGP Singh’s order comes after various reports of security forces carrying out excessive use of force during maintenance of law and order situation in Imphal in the past few days came to fore.

As per reports, more than 30 students received injuries in the past few days during scuffle with security forces during fresh protests that broke out in the state after the deaths of two students.

The committee comes in the backdrop of the Manipur Commission for Protection of Child Rights (MCCR) stating that students are the main protestors therefore security forces should refrain from using excessive force.

“For that matter, lathi charge, tear gas, shells and rubber bullets should not be used arbitrarily and abruptly against the children, and ordering to use such dangerous and deadly means as minimum force without justifiable ground realities against the young children is unwarranted,” said MCCR requesting the authorities.

Manipur has been on the boil since May 3, 2023 after violent clash broke out between two communities.

Amid renewed violence triggered by the death of two students, Senior Superintendent of Police in Srinagar, Rakesh Balwal, who has served in NIA and was part of the investigation team probing 2019 Pulwama terror attack and has experience in dealing with terror-related cases, has been “prematurely” re-transferred to strife torn Manipur.

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