Northeast Desk, 16th February: In a troubling escalation of tensions in Churachandpur, Manipur, the Indian National Flag was forcibly removed from government buildings, accompanied by threats that no Indian flag should fly within the district. This brazen act of vandalism targeted key administrative centers, with the Deputy Commissioner and Superintendent of Police offices set ablaze by unidentified miscreants.
Simultaneously, three protestors lost their lives, and over 30 others sustained injuries during a demonstration in Churachandpur. The protest, sparked by the suspension of a police head constable allegedly involved in firing on innocent civilians in collusion with armed militants, spiraled into violence.
Reports from the Manipur police indicate that a mob attempted to storm the Churachandpur SP office in Manipur on Thursday night, following the suspension of the head constable. The mob, numbering approximately 300-400, engaged in pelting stones and other violent acts. Security forces, including the RAF, responded by firing tear gas shells to control the situation.
The suspended head constable, Siamlalpaul, was kept “under suspension with immediate effect until further orders” by Churachandpur SP Shivanand Surve after a video of him with “armed men” and “sitting together with village volunteers” went viral on social media.
In response to recent incidents of violence and arson in Churachandpur District, the Government of Manipur has ordered the temporary suspension of mobile internet and data services, including VPN services, across the entire revenue jurisdiction of Churachandpur District. This decision aims to prevent the spread of inflammatory material and false rumors through social media platforms, safeguarding public tranquility and communal harmony.
The suspension, effective for five days from February 16, 2024, is a preventive measure to ensure the safety of citizens and restore peace in Churachandpur District, as emphasized by a spokesperson from the Home Department.
Read More: Manipur: Protest in Churachandpur Turns Violent: Three Dead, Over 30 Injured