Churachandpur tense; hundreds stage protest, block roads

The protesters that included a large number of women, reiterated their demand for separate administration

A day after fresh tension was reported from Manipur’s capital city Imphal, the situation in Churachandpur district turned tense today with large number of locals taking to the streets protesting and blocking roads.

Protests were held in at least 4 areas including Tedim road near Peace ground and Phailian as hundreds came together to voice their dissatisfaction over the state government’s handling of things. The protesters reiterated their demand for separate administration.

The protestors carried placards that read – ‘No separate administration, No rest’, ‘Give us SA (separate administration), Give them ST (status)’. The protestors, a large number of whom were women, braved the scorching heat even as they stood firm to protest and make their demands heard. They used umbrellas to take shelter from the blazing sun.

Amid the fresh protests in the district, Manipur Security Adviser Kuldeep Singh arrived in Churachandpur to assess the situation.

It may be mentioned here that despite efforts by the administration the situation in Churachandpur has continued to be volatile with CSOs (civil society organisations) and local groups continuously raising the demand for a separate administration for the hill district.

On Monday, thousands of people staged a sit-in protest at Brig. M. Thomas ground in Kangpokpi demanding the centre’s intervention into the present situation in Manipur.

The protesters reiterated their demand for separate administration and said that they have lost faith in the N Biren Singh-led government in the state.

It may be mentioned here that Manipur has been on the boil because of ethnic clashes related to multiple issues since May 3.

Chief Minister N Biren Singh on Sunday, for the first time admitted that there have been security lapses and intelligence failure during the recent violence and unrest in the state.

Chief Minister Singh also appealed to communities not to blame or fight each other but blame the government instead for the lapses.

“I want to make an appeal. If any community has any grievances, it’s because of our (Govt) mistakes. Whatever happened was because of our mistakes, our lapses in security & intelligence. Don’t blame one or the other community, blame the Govt, we will take the responsibility,” said CM N Biren Singh.

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