Guwahati: At least two persons died and several were injured when protesters clashed with security forces in Manipur’s Churachandpur district Thursday evening.
The situation remained tense even as a shutdown was called Friday in the district by the Indigenous Tribal Leaders’ Forum (ITLF), a conglomerate of Kuki-Zo civil bodies, “to protest the killing of civilians by security forces”.
The ITLF identified the deceased as Letlalkhuol Gangte of Nalon village and Thanggunlen Haokip of S. Canan Veng in Churachandpur.
The violence began after a Kuki head constable was suspended Thursday on the basis of a viral social media video, in which a group of youth in tactical dress could be seen wielding arms. The suspension order mentioned that the constable was seen “making a video with armed miscreants and sitting together with village volunteers”.
“This [is] tantamount to grave misconduct being a member of the disciplined police force,” the suspension order, issued by Churachandpur Superintendent of Police Shivanand Surve, read.
On Thursday, scores of youth gathered outside the office of the Churachandpur SP, protesting against the suspension of head constable Siamlalpaul, reiterating their allegations about the authorities’ bias against tribals amid the ongoing ethnic violence.
Gunfire started around 9.00pm, and raged on until around 11.15pm, security sources told ThePrint.
Protesters reportedly also vandalised the offices of the superintendent of police and the deputy commissioner, and the mini secretariat in Churachandpur town.
Images on social media showed flames billowing out of the official residence of the deputy commissioner or district magistrate, Dharun Kumar.
A few state buses were also reportedly burned down by miscreants.
A social media post by Manipur Police at 9.03 pm Thursday stated that “a mob of approximately 300-400 people attempted to storm the office of the SP, pelting stones etc…”
“The security forces, including the Rapid Action Force is responding appropriately by firing tear gas shells to control the situation. Things are under watch,” the post read.
In orders issued by the office of the district magistrate Thursday, assistance was sought from the Assam Rifles in Churachandpur town and adjoining areas, as the situation was stated to have “gone beyond the control of the district administration and district police”.
In view of the volatile law-and-order situation in Churachandpur, the state government has decided to suspend mobile internet and data services for five days as a “preventive and precautionary measure”.
All educational institutions in the district remained closed Friday in light of the violence.
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Allegations of bias
In a post on X Thursday evening, Kuki BJP MLA Paolienlal Haokip referred to a 13 February incident involving a mob looting arms and ammunition from a 5th India Reserve Battalion (IRB) post at Chingarel, Imphal East.
“They gave away state security arms and ammunition, none suspended: they lead mobs to burn down Kuki colonies in Imphal, no action. A police personnel appeared in a viral video of Kuki volunteers and he got suspended? Is this a just state?” he wrote.
Six persons have been arrested in connection with the looting incident. Manipur Police said in a statement that four INSAS rifles, one AK-47 rifle, SLR magazines, and 16 small boxes of 9mm ammunition had been recovered from members of the mob.
Local media reported Thursday that seven security personnel had been suspended “for their grave negligence and dereliction of duty” in connection with the arms looting case. The suspension order was issued by H. Balram Singh, the Commandant of the 5th India Reserve Battalion, Chingarel.
In a press statement Thursday, the ITLF alleged that “police personnel stationed at the 5th IRB in Imphal allowed the looting of 200 weapons and 20,000 ammunition without any resistance…”
It also held SP Surve responsible for the incidents of violence Thursday evening.
“If the SP cannot act with fairness, we will not allow him to remain in any tribal areas. He should immediately revoke the suspension of the policeman and leave the district within 24 hours. Otherwise, Mr Surve will bear sole responsibility for any future incident,” the ITLF stated.
“Despite multiple evidences (sic) of Meitei police collaborating with Meitei militants and engaging in violence against tribal communities, no actions have been taken against them. In contrast, a Kuki-Zo tribal policeman was swiftly suspended based on a single screengrab,” the release further read.
Meanwhile, Manipur minister Konthoujam Govindas took to social media late Thursday evening and posted a video, stating that he is “heartbroken to witness the senseless destruction in Churachandpur”.
“The burning of the mini secretariat building & the disrespect shown to our nation’s flag is truly distressing. Let’s condemn these acts of violence and work together towards peace and harmony,” he added.
As Manipur continues to bleed, the central security forces on the ground have been working to restore normalcy.
On Thursday, the Assam Rifles assisted the Churachandpur district administration in reopening the INA Memorial High School at Goth village that was closed for nine months, since violence erupted on 3 May last year. Stationery articles were distributed to over 250 students from remote villages.
Last month, Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh had criticised the central security forces, saying they had been deployed in the state “to protect people, not to observe what is happening”.
(Edited by Sunanda Ranjan)
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