The Manipur Government on Wednesday imposed a total curfew in the entire Revenue Jurisdiction of Tuibong Sub-Division in Churachandpur district as a precautionary measure for maintaining peace and tranquillity.
The government has taken the measures after a massive protest was organized by some volunteers in Tuibong bazar, Churachandpur.
The protest was against the alleged misdeeds of a non-local trader who allegedly tried to molest a minor girl inside his shop. The Kuki Zo Village Volunteer (KZVV/UTV) imposed the total shutdown in the jurisdiction of Tuibong-sub division from 5am on Wednesday, demanding justice after an 11-year-old minor girl was allegedly sexually harassed by a shopkeeper at Tuibong bazaar on October 11 when she went to buy a hairband there.
Reports said that irate volunteers blocked the road and set on fire some logs and wood in the middle of the road at Tuibong bazaar. The shop of the non-local, who was accused of molesting the minor girl, was also vandalized and all his goods were set on fire.
The officer-in-charge of the Churachandpur Women Police Station told the media on Wednesday that a POCSO case was registered after the family members of the girl lodged a complaint on October 21.
“The next day (October 22), the accused surrendered himself at the police station, and he accepted the allegation during preliminary interrogation. The women police, Churachandpur, has started the process to submit the chargesheet within one week,” the officer said.
Churachandpur SDPO, Prakhar Pandey appealed to the public not to spread wrong information regarding the incident that could escalate tension and to cooperate with police.
Against these backdrops and precautionary measures, Dharun Kumar S, District Magistrate, Churachandpur District, on Wednesday declared a prohibitory order effective from 6:00 AM of October 23, 2024, and shall remain in force until further orders.
The Hills Journal
K. Salbung, Churachandpur
Manipur-795128
