Churachandpur violence: Sec 144 imposed, internet banned after CM’s venue vandalized, set ablaze

The ITLF has called for an 8 hours Churachandpur bandh today to protest Manipur govt’s forest land survey, eviction drive and church demolition

Uneasy calm prevails in Churachandpur, Manipur. Streets wear a deserted look, not a soul to be seen other than the security personnel. This after the last evening’s violence when angry mob broke chairs, vandalised the stage and set on fire the event venue where Manipur CM N Biren Singh was to address the public. The mob also vandalised the gym that the CM was to inaugurate today.

Last evening, young boys were seen shouting and cheering as they broke the chairs, vandalized the event venues, the Sabbhavna Mandap in New Lamka Churachandpur and the gym, and set ablaze whatever they could lay their hands on.

Section 144 has been imposed in the entire Churachandpur district to avoid any further flare-up in the law and order situation.

Assembly of five or more people is banned. However, people going to the CM’s event have been exempted from Section 144.

Internet services too have been banned in Churanchandpur.

The violence in Churachandpur comes in the backdrop of the Kuki People’s Alliance (KPA) an ally of BJP in Manipur accusing the Manipur Government of persecuting the tribal people in the state.

The KPA in its official meeting held on Tuesday expressed their dissatisfaction regarding the demolition of over a half-century-old Church on the tribal Colony land at Checkon in the heart of the state capital Imphal, a survey of forests land that belong to the tribal communities living in the hills, and the recent impasse over tribal reservation issue at RIMS.

Meanwhile, the Indigenous Tribal Leaders Forum (ITLF) has called for 8 hours Churachandpur bandh from 8 AM to 4 PM today.

They have called for a total shutdown of the district to register their protest against the Manipur government’s recent initiatives to conduct a survey of reserved forests, protected forests, wetlands, and wildlife, the recent eviction drive and the demolition of churches.

“…pained our sentiments that the Government demolished Churches and has absolutely no consideration and respect for something which is deeply scared to those of us following the Christian faith,” the ITLF said in a statement calling for the total shutdown.

ITLF further said in the statement that despite several memorandums submitted to the Government, “the Government has shown no signs of willingness, no sincerity to address the plight of the people nor has the Government shown any contrition with regard to this”.

“So in light of the situation ITLF has heeded the cry of the people and to show our dejection and dissatisfaction with the unlawful activities of the Government of Manipur, the ITLF is compelled to resort to non-cooperation of all Government-related programmes and call for a total shutdown in the district on the 28th April, 2023 (Friday) from 08:00 AM to 04:00 PM”, the ITLF statement said.

Several student bodies, civil society organizations, village chiefs and locals had objected to the land surveys which were done over the past few days and organizations had also protested the demolition of churches.

Also Watch:

COMMENTS