Bhupen Goswami
Guwahati: Violence erupted again in Churachandpur in Manipur on Friday. Despite Section 144, protesters took to the streets. After which there was a clash between the police and the protesters. During this, the police also fired tear gas shells. Clashes broke out between protesters and police at sadbhavana mandap at New Lamka in Churachandpur district on Friday midnight, where Chief Minister N Biren Singh was scheduled to address a public meeting. Tension prevails in Churachandpur town even after an agreement was reached between the Inspector General and the student union leader. According to the report, there is anger among the people over the non-withdrawal of police commando forces from the district headquarters despite the indigenous tribal leaders forum agreeing to withdraw the sit-in. On Friday night, protesters took to the streets in large numbers and set some vehicles on fire, following which security forces fired in the air to disperse the crowd.An order issued by the Home Department said mobile internet services will be suspended in Churachandpur and Firjawal districts with immediate effect for the next five days to prevent any disturbance of peace and order. The reason for this violence in Manipur is the survey conducted by the state government in the reserved and protected forest. According to this survey, some churches were found to be illegal, which were ordered to be demolished. The most resentment over this survey was expressed by the forum of indigenous tribal leaders. And they committed violence. The Manipur government had demolished three churches in east Imphal on April 11 on charges of illegal construction. These included the Evangelical Baptist Convention Church, the Evangelical Lutheran Church, and the Catholic Holy Spirit Church. A petition was also filed in the Manipur High Court against the order to demolish the church, but the court refused to stay it. The churches had failed to prove in court that they had taken approval from the administration for the construction. Congress leader Jairam Ramesh hit out at the Central government for not paying heed to the unfortunate violent incident that turned Churachandpur area of Manipur into a war zone. Blaming the double engine government in Manipur led by Chief Minister N Biren Singh for the current situation, Jairam Ramesh tweeted, “While the entire team is focused on Modi Karnataka, Churachandpur in Manipur has almost turned into a war zone a year after the BJP got a decisive majority in the state. There’s a double engine flying there! Neither the central government nor the national media cares about it. The remarks came two days after a series of violence in Manipur that has led to more conflict and chaos in the city, which has spread to neighbouring Kangpokpi district. An uneasy calm prevailed in Churachandpur district after overnight clashes, chaos and firing by security forces to disperse agitating mobs and protesters.A mob gathered in the Tuibong market area last night and started burning tyres and playing electric poles on the streets to raise their voice in every area. A scuffle broke out between the police and the local crowd at Seelamat Bridge, adding to the already tense situation.
