TMB Correspondent
Churachandpur: Chief Minister N Biren Singh on Friday cancelled his visit to Churachandpur district amid reports of sporadic disturbance in a few areas.
Chief Minister Biren was supposed to visit Churachandpur district headquarters on Friday to inaugurate an open gym at PT Sports Complex, Khominthang, as well as to attend a public gathering arranged at Sadbhavna Mandap, New Lamka. Reportedly, the visit was called off in the aftermath of an unruly mob attack that took place on Thursday evening. The enraged mob set a newly constructed open gym on fire and dismantled the venue for public gathering.
However, the protest continued 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, dismantling the arranged hall for the gathering.
With the arrival of reinforcement from the State capital since last evening, a scuffle broke out between police and the agitating mob. Police resorted to using tear gas to disperse the unruly protesters who were there to obstruct the proposed gathering.
Top police officials also arrived at the scene to monitor the situation. Despite the imposition of Section 144 CrPC in the area since last night, locals ventured out in large numbers to vent ire against the proposed visit of Chief Minister Biren, whom they perceived as ‘anti-tribal’. Internet mobile data was also suspended for a day in the whole district of Churachandpur.
Police detained as many as seven members of the Hmar Students’ Association (HAS) on Friday for allegedly supporting a bandh in Churachandpur district on Friday from 8 AM to 4 PM, in protest against the government’s land survey and demolition of churches. The detained members were still in the custody of the district police till the filing of this report.
The Deputy Commissioner Churachandpur convened a joint meeting of all CSOs at Mini Secretariat, Tuibong, later in the afternoon to discuss the current impasse prevailing in the district.
Meanwhile, reliable sources disclosed that all the detained protesters including seven members of Hmar Students’ Association were released unconditionally later in the afternoon, after the agitating student leaders and IGP IK Muivah held talks somewhere in Churachandpur.
Reportedly, the IG agreed to release all the detained protesters unconditionally while the CSO leaders agreed to suspend the agitation with immediate effect.
Earlier, Chief Minister Biren who came to Hapta Kangjeibung to inaugurate Agri Horti Expo for Organic and Indigenous Products of Manipur & Buyer Seller Meet, said that the government will take befitting action against the miscreants involved in vandalising and setting fire of the open gym equipment newly erected at PT Sports complex, New Lamka in Churachandpur district, apart from destroying the chairs and other items at Sadbhavna Mandav where the first anniversary of MLA LM Khaute was supposed to be held.
Responding to a query, the Chief Minister said that the incident is suspected to have erupted as fallout of the internal conflict among them.
The function was not organised by the government. However, the government will take action against the miscreants involved in the rowdy act, he said.
