Imphal: The Manipur Police has acknowledged that its personnel fired live rounds during an incident at Shantipur along National Highway-2, resulting in bullet injuries to a Kuki youth, even as tensions rise following a shutdown call by the Committee on Tribal Unity (COTU).
In an official clarification issued regarding the April 8 incident, police stated that the firing occurred under what they described as “controlled conditions” in response to what they perceived as suspicious behaviour and a potential threat to personnel on duty.
According to the statement, the sequence of events began around 9:30 PM at Kanglatongbi Bridge when a Chevrolet Cruze (WB-06C-7444) carrying three occupants and an Alto car with a single occupant arrived from the Kangpokpi and Sekmai sides respectively. The vehicles had reportedly met for an exchange and test drive when the Cruze slipped into a nullah, resulting in a minor accident.
Police personnel stationed at a nearby security naka near Kanglatongbi Hindi High School, close to Shantipur, rushed to assist those involved.
However, the situation escalated when the accompanying Alto car allegedly approached the naka at high speed, ignored repeated signals to stop, and nearly hit security personnel. Police claimed that upon noticing their presence, the occupants of the Alto attempted to flee towards Kangpokpi.
“In view of the imminent risk and suspicious behaviour, security personnel fired controlled rounds aimed at the tyres to stop the vehicle,” the statement said. Despite the firing, the vehicle reportedly did not stop and continued to flee.
It was later confirmed that the driver of the Alto, identified as Lenkhogin Tuboi, sustained bullet injuries during the incident. He was subsequently taken to Mission Hospital in Kangpokpi for treatment.
Meanwhile, the driver of the Cruze, identified as 21-year-old Jangginlen Khongsai, was detained and handed over to G. Saparmeina Police Station before being released after due formalities.
Till filing this report, Northeast Diary could not ascertain the accounts of the injured Kuki youths. COTU vehemently protested the incident and even announced total shutdown in Kangpokpi district.
