Night curfew in the violence-hit Churachandpur district of Manipur continued for the third consecutive day on Monday. However, no fresh case of any incident of violence has been reported in the nondescript district in the past 48 hours. The Churachandpur district administration, taking no chances, has decided to continue the night curfew until further orders.
Incidents of violence, including vandalizing of government properties, arson and subsequently setting the venue, where Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh was scheduled to inaugurate a facility, were reported after scores of agitated mob, led by the Indigenous Tribal Leaders' Forum, who objected to the Bharatiya Janata Party-led state government's survey of reserved and protected forest areas besides the wetlands in the state, went on a rampage.
Meanwhile, the Manipur police have claimed that the Myanmar nationals, who have illegally entered the state, were also involved in the arson.
Moreover, the forum has accused the state government of having demolished a few churches in the state.
The forum stated in a statement that it has been compelled to carry out a non-cooperation movement against the state government so it has started to obstruct the official programs.
On the other hand, the Kuki Students' Organisation also lent its support to the forum accusing the Manipur government of showing a step motherly attitude to the tribal population of the state.
The state government earlier this month had reportedly demolished three churches in Manipur stating that those were “illegally constructed.”
After Thursday’s incident of violence, Chief Minister N Biren Singh had to cancel his visit to Churachandpur district on Friday.
Now, the tribal people have launched fresh protests against the state government’s action against the illegal poppy cultivators and destroying poppy fields in the forest land, especially in the reserve and protected forests in the hilly areas.
The district administration on Saturday imposed a night curfew in Churachandpur district from 5 pm to 5 am.
However, with reopening of shops, business establishments and markets, normal activities have been witnessed during the daytime since Sunday.
The writer is a senior independent journalist covering the Northeast.