Fresh tension erupted in Manipur’s Churachandpur district on Friday night after security forces used batons, tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse people protesting against the Bharatiya Janata Party government’s survey of reserved and protected forests.
Areas such as New Lamka, Tuibong Bazaar, Sielmat bridge, Lanva bridge, and T Champhai reported instances of protestors throwing stones and security personnel using tear gas shells and rubber bullets.
The authorities suspended internet in Churachandpur and its neighbouring district of Pherzawl for five days. They also imposed night curfew in Churachandpur between 5 pm to 5 am from Saturday.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge accused the BJP of bulldozing the rights of indigenous communities in the state.
“Situation in BJP ruled Manipur is disturbing,” he said. “Violence is no solution to any issue. Law and order has been completely derailed in the state under double engine government.”
“While entire team Modi is fixated on Karnataka, Churachandpur in Manipur has turned into almost a war zone only a year after the BJP got a decisive majority in the state,” said Congress leader Jairam Ramesh on Twitter. He also shared a video showing security forces firing bullets.
“The double engine there is blowing up! Neither the Union government or the national media is bothered about it,” Ramesh added.
On Thursday night, unrest erupted in Churachandpur when demonstrators set fire to the location where Chief Minister N Biren Singh was scheduled to appear. The CM was expected to open a gym and speak at a public gathering at the PT Sports Complex the next day.
In order to push for their demand to cancel the survey, the Indigenous Tribal Leaders Forum announced a “total shutdown” from 8 am to 4 pm on Friday. Local residents in Churachandpur fear that the survey could result in the government designating tribal land in hill districts as protected forest.
