One person was killed and several others sustained injuries as security forces resorted to the use of force to disperse a mob numbering hundreds that stormed the office of the district Superintendent of Police in Churachandpur town of Manipur on Thursday.
A report by The Indian Express quoted a doctor at the Churachandpur District Hospital as confirming that at least one person succumbed to injuries. The police stated that many persons had sustained injuries. Internet services have been suspended in Churachandpur following the incident.
The violence unfolded in the tense Churachandpur town on Thursday evening as “a mob numbering approximately 300-400 attempted to storm” the office and pelted stones, a police statement read. Videos on social media also showed the mob indulging in arson and setting fire to some police vehicles and a portion of the District Collector’s office.
As the mob went on a rampage and attempted to lay siege to the SSP’s office, security forces, including personnel from the RAF, fired teargas shells to disperse the crowd. Police said that “things are under watch” as of Thursday night.
What triggered violence on Thursday?
The incident on Thursday came amid continuing unrest in the town over the suspension of a Kuki police head constable who was seen in a video with armed Kukis at the “frontline” firing positions in the hills. The suspension order, issued on Thursday by Churachandpur SP Shivanand Surve, cited a viral video “showing him making a video with armed miscreants, sitting together with village volunteers”.
The suspension order stated that the actions of the police personnel amounted to “very grave misconduct” and that a departmental probe was also under consideration against the erring policeman. The head constable was suspended with immediate effect and placed in Reserve Line.
Protests escalated after locals alleged that similar action has been found missing action Meitei police personnel involved in the conflict. Following the incident, the Indigenous Tribal Leaders’ Forum – a Kuki-Zo organisation based in Churachandpur – issued an ultimatum for SP Surve to “leave the district” within 24 hours or face consequences.
“No one was hauled up for the incident. There are numerous personal accounts of Meitei police personnel leading mobs in attacking tribal villages. No action has been taken against them… If the SP cannot act with fairness, we will not allow him to remain in any tribal area. He should immediately revoke the suspension of the policeman and leave the district within 24 hours,” the ITLF said in the statement.