Tribal body gives ultimatum to Churachandpur DC and SP, Manipur officials blamed for mob attack

The Indigenous Tribal Leaders’ Forum (ITLF) held the Churachandpur SP, Shivanand Surve, and Deputy Commissioner, S. Dharun Kumar, 'entirely responsible' for Thursday night’s volatile incident which resulted in two persons being shot dead by security forces

Umanand Jaiswal, TT, Guwahati, 17.02.24: The Indigenous Tribal Leaders’ Forum (ITLF) on Friday set a 24-hour deadline for the Churachandpur DC and SP to leave the district, holding them “responsible” for Thursday night’s mob attack.

At least two persons were killed and over 30 injured following an attack on the seat of administration by a mob in Kuki-Zo majority Churachandpur in strife-hit Manipur on Thursday night. The ITLF said the DC and SP were “entirely responsible” for people hitting the streets in protest against the “unjust” suspension of a Kuki-Zo police constable.

The ITLF is a conglomerate of recognised Kuki-Zo tribes in Churachandpur formed in the wake of the ongoing conflict in Manipur that erupted in May between the Kuki-Zo and Meitei communities to coordinate relief activities and articulate the concerns and aspirations of the Kuki-Zo people.

The organisation on Friday held the Churachandpur SP, Shivanand Surve, and Deputy Commissioner, S. Dharun Kumar, “entirely responsible” for Thursday night’s volatile incident which resulted in two persons being “shot dead by security forces and at least 25 others seriously injured after civilians came out in the streets to protest against the unjust treatment of a tribal official”.

The deceased included a 15-year-old Class IX student and a 29-year-old theology graduate, locals said.

The police had said on Thursday night that a mob of 300-400 attempted to storm the SP’s office and that security forces, including the RAF, responded “appropriately” by firing tear gas shells to control the situation.

The mob had targetted the SP office following the suspension of a police constable after a video of him with “armed miscreants” went viral, locals said. The ITLF said as “high-ranking” officials, the SP and DC, were “fully aware” of the nature of the conflict in Manipur and the sensitivities involved on the ground.

“But that did not stop them from acting in a manner (suspension of a constable) that would lead to tension and violence,” it said, accusing Surve and Kumar, of creating problems in the hill district, which has been a key flashpoint in the ongoing conflict.

The offices of the SP and DC located in the same compound were targetted by the mob, which damaged the DC’s office and official bungalow. At least 12 vehicles, most belonging to the security forces parked inside the compound, were either damaged or set on fire. Official confirmation of the death and damage to properties is yet to be shared.

After an emergency meeting on Friday with representatives of all tribes, philanthropic organisations, student leaders and its convenors, the ITLF demanded that the district administration revoke the suspension of the constable within 24 hours and also the departure of the two officials from the district.

“If the suspension of the head constable is not cancelled within 24 hours and that, if the SP and DC do not leave the district within 24 hours, all government offices shall be closed. Both the SP and DC will bear the responsibility for any untoward incidents that may fall on them,” the ITLF said, demanding that the two officials be replaced by officials from the Union Territory cadres, “ preferably from the Kuki-Zo community by the Central government”.

The ITLF legal cell has decided to take up all legal procedures regarding those killed and injured by the security forces while declaring those killed as “Kuki-Zo martyrs” and “will be buried after all necessary actions, due procedures and agreements with the government are completed”. The organisation has also demanded a probe against security forces involved in the firing incident.