Disgruntled with the unjust suspension of one Manipur Police Head Constable, SiamlalPaul of Churachandpur Police, an angry mob numbering in hundreds stormed the office of the District Superintendent of Police at Tuibong this evening.
The angry mob also attacked the Mini-Secretariat situated at Tuibong and ransacked some of the infrastructure within the complex. One public transport bus was burned down during the melee.
The Rapid Action Forces (RAF) who are stationed at the Mini-Secretariat Complex retaliated by firing tear gas shells to dispersed the agitating mob. Till the filing of this report, at least one fatality has been confirmed, with over 25 individuals reported injured.
It may be noted here that, the SP of Churachandpur on Thursday issued a suspension order for Head Constable Siamlalpaul for allegedly "making video with armed miscreants".
The suspension order said, “Whereas, a Departmental Enquiry under Rule 66 Part-III of Assam Police Manual (APM) is being contemplated against Head Constable Siamlalpaul of Churachandpur District Police, as a video is viral on social media showing him making a video with armed miscreants was seen sitting together with Village Volunters on 14-02-2024. This tantamount to very grave misconduct, being a member of disciplined police force.”
Now, therefore, the undersigned as empowered under Rule 66 Part-III of APM do hereby place Head Constable Siamlalpaul Churachandpur District Police under suspension from his service with immediate effect and until further orders, it added.
During the period under which this order remains in force, the Headquarter of Head Constable Siamlalpaul shall be Reserve Line, DHQ-Churachandpur and he shall not leave the station without prior permission of the undersigned. His pay and allowances is restricted to the subsistence allowances admissible as per the Rules, the order continued.
Meanwhile, the Indigenous Tribal Leaders’ Forum (ITLF) squarely points finger at the new Churachandpur Superintendent of Police, Shivanand Surve, for the tragic events unfolding in the district tonight. The incident resulted in the loss of one life due to police action, with at least 25 others sustaining injuries during protests against the mistreatment of a tribal official.
“Recent months have seen a proliferation of social media content depicting Meitei police officers fraternizing with armed militants and, in some instances, firing upon tribal communities with automatic weapons. Despite this evidence, no disciplinary measures have been taken against these officers, ITLF alleged, adding that swift action was taken against a Kuki-Zo tribal policeman whose image circulated, showing him seated with village volunteers protecting their land.”
As a senior law enforcement figure, the SP is fully cognizant of the ongoing conflict in Manipur and the delicate situation on the ground. However, his actions have not only failed to defuse tensions but have exacerbated them. Mr. Surve’s transfer to Churachandpur, orchestrated by the communal Chief Minister, appears to be a deliberate move to stoke unrest in the hill areas, a task he has promptly undertaken, ITLF maintained.
Earlier this week, police personnel stationed at the 5th IRB in Imphal stood by as 200 weapons and 20,000 rounds of ammunition were looted without resistance. No individuals were held accountable for this egregious security breach. Numerous eyewitness accounts detail Meitei police officers leading attacks on tribal communities, yet no repercussions have followed, ITLF alleged.
The forum demands that the SP rectify the suspension of the tribal policeman and vacate the district within 24 hours. Failure to comply will render Mr. Surve solely responsible for any ensuing incidents.
Additionally, in protest against the civilian fatality caused by security forces, a shutdown is planned for tomorrow, it added.
The Hills Journal
K. Salbung, Churachandpur
Manipur-795128
