Manipur Violence: Internet Shut In Churachandpur District After CM’s Event Venue Torched.

After an unruly crowd set fire to an open gym built at PT Sports Complex in New Lamka, Churachandpur District of Manipur recently, which was to be inaugurated by the CM N Biren Singh, the state administration has decided to temporarily suspend internet connectivity and impose Section 144 in the state’s Churachandpur district. 

Why is there a need for an official order for handling the protest?

The Indigenous Tribal Leaders’ Forum led the demonstration. According to the Forum, the state administration has razed churches with no regard for what is terribly sacrificial. As a result, the Indigenous Tribal Leaders’ Forum (ITLF) has demanded for a total shutdown in the Churachandpur district from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on April 28, 2023, and there is a possibility of public mobilisation for protest via social media and networking sites, which could pay the way to an enhancement of public unrest and unlawful actions in Churachandpur district. According to an official order, it is consequently asked that internet/mobile data be curtailed/suspended in the Churachandpur district with immediate effect and until the situation improves. 

The order also states that carrying sticks, stones, firearms, and/or weapons of any description, as well as objects that can be used as abusive weapons, should be prohibited as an immediate measure because they are likely to cause a breach of peace, disturbance to public movement, and grave danger to human lives and properties.

The mob attack occurred as the Indigenous Tribe Leaders Forum called for a total lockdown of Churachandpur from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Despite repeated submissions to the government of memorandums protesting an ongoing eviction drive to clear reserved forested areas of farmers and other tribal settlers, the Forum claimed that “the government has shown no sign of desire or honesty in addressing the dire needs of the people. The Kuki Students’ Organisation has also come out in favour of the Forum, claiming that tribals are subjected to stepmotherly treatment. The Kuki Students’ Organisation condemned the weakening of tribal rights, including the demolition of religious facilities and the unlawful eviction of tribal settlements, in a statement.

Previously, an angry mob vandalised and set fire to the venue where Chief Minister N Biren Singh was due to attend a programme the next day at New Lamka in Churachandpur district on Thursday night at 9 p.m.

H Mangchingkhup, a tribal activist and the head of Bungmual village accused the government of conducting the survey without consulting him or others. The survey has received no official government response. Bungmual, located on the outskirts of Lamka’s district headquarters, is one of a few settlements that fall inside the Churachandpur-Khoupum protected forest. This protected forest comprises around 490 square kilometres and is located in the districts of Churachandpur, Bishnupur, and Noney.

Local police responded promptly and dispersed the crowd, but not before hundreds of flaming chairs caused damage to the facility. The enraged mobs managed to partially flame the recently built open gym at the PT Sports Complex in New Lamka, which Biren Singh is expected to launch on Friday afternoon, according to police. Biren is also planning to attend another celebration at Sadbhavna Mandap in addition to the opening of the open gym.

Conclusion.

Churachandpur tribal villages have been filled with fear that a recent government land and forest survey may result in tribal land in hill districts being designated as protected forests. The government has not issued an official statement on the study, but tribe chiefs fear it is intended to label their territories as protected forest, resulting in their “eviction.”

This is not the first time that tribals have acted aggressively towards social policies involving the establishment of various structures for the development of the state. The tribals believe that these advances will threaten their traditional values and ethics. Thus they engage in such harsh behaviours to prevent them.