Manipur Director General of Police (DGP) P. Doungel has warned media against spreading rumours that police officials belonging to Kuki communiy were stripped of all powers in the wake of the violent clashes in the state. The top cop also dismissed reports that the police officials belonging to Meitei community were let loose upon the Kuki residents in both cities and foothill villages during the clashes.
This was done purposefully by a section of people to create more enmity between the two communities, he claimed.
A letter signed by Doungel, who himself is a Kuki, read: “This is to clarify that there is no such action taken by the government or from any quarter. All the Kuki/Meitie policemen right from the DGP/additional DG/ Joint DG to the lowest rank, whether Khaki or in Green, are all performing their duties to their best wherever they are assigned.”
Even though the government had suspended internet in the wake of violence, speculations flew thick and fast in the state. While the government maintained that it was an ethnic clash, which some UG groups might have taken advantage of, a section of northeast media tried to portray it as a communal clash.
Doungel, while speaking for the first time to any media after the clashes, confirmed to THE WEEK that he had written the letter.
“Yes, I have written the letter and informed people through media about the falsehood being propagated. Kuki officials wherever they are assigned doing the task they have been asked to, either by government or by me,” Doungel said.
The officer said that situation is limping back to normal—slowly but steadily—in Manipur. “The curfew has still been imposed in the affected areas. Indian Army, Assam Rifles, Manipur Rifles and Manipur Police are trying their best to carry out the mammoth confidence building measures as directed by the chief minister,” the DGP said.
He, however, refused to reveal the number of casualties in the violent clashes. “It is better not to mention it as I don’t have the figure in hands,” said he.
Doungel, an IPS officer of the 1987 batch, told THE WEEK that many police stations were either burnt or looted by the rioters.
“Many precious lives were lost and more than 1,000 arms and ammunition were snatched from the police stations. With the support of Army and Assam Rifles, we have recovered almost 50 per cent of the total arms lost. We are doing rigorous work to trace the rest of the arms and ammunition lost,” he told THE WEEK.
According to the officer, shops are opening in many affected places in the day time and people are going out amid tight security.
“But schools, colleges and educational institutes are closed for safety and security. They will remain closed till we bring complete normalcy in the state,” she said.
Meanwhile, the Nagas, another big community majority of whom are Christians, have warned their members not to involve in the clashes between Kukis and Meities. “Nobody, except the community leaders, should talk to the press. We need to keep ourselves away from it and we have nothing to do with it,” said a statement issued by Thangkul Naga, the largest Naga tribes in Manipur.