Northeast Desk, 19th February: Despite warnings from the state home department regarding the “no work, no pay” rule for unauthorized leaves, offices of the Manipur government in Churachandpur and neighbouring Pherzawl districts witnessed sparse attendance on Monday.
The Indigenous Tribal Leaders Forum (ITLF) based in Churachandpur urged government staff in the district to refrain from work starting Monday over the suspension of a policeman allegedly seen with armed individuals in a video.
A source reported a deserted atmosphere in government offices, with minimal presence of employees from departments such as public works, agriculture, fishery, and forest in both Churachandpur and Pherzawl districts, predominantly inhabited by the Kuki community.
An official in Churachandpur district mentioned that many employees who showed up at the office returned upon finding minimal staff presence.
While markets, schools, and private establishments operated normally, the call from ITLF pressed for the revocation of head constable Siamlalpaul’s suspension and the immediate replacement of Superintendent of Police Shivanand Surve and Deputy Commissioner Dharun Kumar.
Head constable Siamlalpaul was suspended after a viral video showed him with armed individuals and village volunteers.
In response to the call, the home department ordered the enforcement of “no work-no pay” against employees absent from official duty without authorized leave.
Ethnic violence has roiled Manipur since May last year following a ‘Tribal Solidarity March’ protesting the Meitei community’s demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status. Over 180 people have been killed in the unrest, highlighting the tensions between the Meiteis in the Imphal Valley and the Nagas and Kukis in the hill districts.