Manipur chief minister N Biren Singh on Friday cancelled his proposed visit to Churachandpur district amid reports of sporadic disturbance in a few areas.
The chief minister was supposed to visit the district headquarter on Friday to inaugurate an Open Gym at PT Sports Complex, Khominthang, Churachandpur, as well as to attend a public gathering arranged at Sadbhavna Mandap, New Lamka. Reportedly, the visit has been called off in the aftermath of the unruly mob attack Thursday evening — setting fire to the newly constructed Open Gym, dismantling of the venue for public gathering.
However, protest continues to escalate as the proposed gathering was trying to go ahead despite stiff opposition from the general public. The general public once again stormed the venue and caused havoc, thereby dismantling the arranged hall for the said gathering. With reinforcement coming from the state capital since last evening, a scuffle broke out between the Police and the agitating mob. Police resorted to using tear gas to dispersed the unruly mob who were there to obstruct the proposed gathering. Top Police officials from the state have also arrived at the scene to monitor the situation. Despite the imposition of Section 144 CrPC in the area since last night, public have ventured out in numbers to ire their anger against the proposed visit of Chief Minister N. Biren, whom they perceived it as anti-tribal. Internet Mobile data was also suspended for a day in the whole district of Churachandpur.
The Manipur police detained as many as seven members of the Hmar Students’ Association (HSA) on April 28 for allegedly supporting a bandh in the Churachandpur District on April 28, 2023, from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, in protest against the government’s land survey and demolition of churches. The detained members are still in the custody of the district police till the filing of this report.
The Deputy Commissioner of Churachandpur district has convened a joint meeting of all CSOs at Mini Secretariat, Tuibong, later this afternoon to discuss about the current impasse prevailing in the district.
