Section 144 Clamped, Internet Suspended In Manipur's Churachandpur After CM's Event Venue Set Ablaze By Mob

Section 144 was imposed in Manipur's Churachandpur district with internet services were suspended after an angry mob vandalised and set ablaze the program venue of Chief Minister N Biren Singh.

Mob set fire to an open gym constructed at PT Sports Complex in New Lamka, Churachandpur District ( Image Source :ANI )

Guwahati: Internet services were suspended and Section 144 was imposed in Manipur's Churachandpur district on Friday after an angry mob vandalised and set ablaze the program venue of Chief Minister N Biren Singh where he was scheduled to inaugurate a gym and sports facility. As the situation started to turn violent, the Churachandpur administration increased security in the entire district. Even though the situation is normal now, tension has gripped the area.

"A report has been received from Superintendent of Police, Churachandpur that there is likelihood of breach of peace, disturbance to public tranquillity and grave danger
to human lives and properties within the revenue jurisdiction of Churachandpur District. Whereas, it is desirable that any breach of peace and disturbance to public tranquillity and danger to human lives and properties should be immediately prevented," the order copy signed by Thienlaljoy Gangte, Addl. District Magistrate, Churachandpur stated.

"Whereas, it is considered that assembly of five or more persons which is likely to turn unlawful/violent, or the carrying of sticks, stones, fireams and/or weapons of any description or objects which can be used as offensive weapons should be prohibited as an immediate measure that is likely to prevent a breach of peace, disturbance to public tranquillity and grave danger to human lives and properties," it further mentioned.

Order copy

"We will take definite action," Manipur CM N Biren Singh said when asked about the incident.

"Our MLA wanted to inaugurate and celebrate his anniversary and some miscreants destroyed the gym. It is the internal matter of that constituency," he responded.

"We will take action," says Manipur CM N Biren Singh on the incident where a mob set fire to an open gym constructed at PT Sports Complex in New Lamka, Churachandpur District yesterday. pic.twitter.com/ub7ZxXVrTR

— ANI (@ANI) April 28, 2023

Video footage showed massive crowds breaking chairs and other properties at the program venue where Chief Minister Singh was scheduled to visit on Friday. The mob also damaged and put on fire the sports equipment of the newly constructed gym.

The mob violence was reportedly led by the Indigenous Tribal Leaders' Forum -- objecting to the Bharatiya Janata Party-led state government's survey of reserved and protected forest areas besides the wetlands in the state. The forum has accused the state government of having demolished a few churches in the state.

The forum stated in a statement that it was compelled to carry out a non-cooperation movement against the state government and started to obstruct the official programs. Moreover, the forum called for an eight-hour bandh in the district on Friday from 8 am to 4 pm.

Meanwhile, the Kuki Students' Organisation has also lent its support to the forum accusing the Manipur government of showing a stepmotherly attitude toward the tribals of the state. The state government earlier this month reportedly demolished three churches in Manipur stating the constructions to be illegal.

The writer is a senior independent journalist covering the Northeast.