Huge violence erupted in Churachandpur district of Manipur ahead Chief Minister N Biren’s visit on Thursday. The government has banned large gatherings of people and internet services have also been shut.
The Chief Minister was scheduled to attend BJP’s survey of reserved and protected forests and areas such as wetlands. But before his arrival the miscreants vandalised and set the venue on fire.
Prohibitory orders as per section 144 of CrPC have been issued in the district to control the unprecedented event in the district.
Additional District Magistrate of Churachandpur, S Thienlatjoy Gangte said that the decision was taken after the report by police that cited “likelihood of breach of peace, disturbance to public tranquility and grave danger to human lives and properties”.
The order further cited “total shutdown called by the Indigenous Tribal Leaders’ Forum and the likelihood of mobilization of the public through social media and networking sites” to shut down the internet services on the district.
Mr Biren was even scheduled to inaugurate sports and gym facilities in Churchandpur.
Visuals doing rounds over the internet showed big mob vandalising property inside the venue where the Chief Minister was about to reach. The mob even fired the sports equipment.
Meanwhile, the Indigenous Tribal Leaders’ Forum has called for a bandh in the district between 8 am and 4 pm.
The Forum alleged that the state government has demolished three churches in Manipur calling them “illegal constructions”.
