IMPHAL, Sept 6: A brief demonstration against the indiscriminate firing and killing of two civilians at Ukhrul on August 30 was organised jointly today by Tangkhul Katamnaolong, Imphal Tangkhul Shanaolong, and Tangkhul Peoples’ Organisation of Imphal.
The demonstration held in front of the Tangkhul Baptist Church, Dewlahland was also attended by All Manipur United Club Organisation and the United Committee, Manipur.
Condemning the August 30 Ukhrul incident, a demonstrator SK Rising opined that according to the guidelines of the Supreme Court, prior warning should be given to the protestors in local language by the security forces before firing.
Rising also read out other instructions given by the court regarding crowd control. He read that attention must be sought by a bugle or other means; control fire by issuing personal orders, security forces must not fire into the thick of the crowd, and aim low and shoot for effect; cease fire immediately once the object has been attained, and take immediate steps to secure the wounded etc.
Rising further added that the security forces shall not use excessive force, not to get involved in hand to hand struggle with the mob, not to ill-treat any one, in particular women and children, not to harass civilians and to avoid indiscriminate firing. He also condemned the security forces for entering house to house and torturing the innocent civilians without any justifiable reasons.
The protestors demanded immediate withdrawal of IRBs and Manipur Police from Ukhrul town, CBI enquiry into the incident, and also asserted that Govt of Manipur should apologise to the people of Ukhrul over the incident.