Manipur: Venue Damaged, Equipment Set Ablaze Ahead of CM’s Visit

IMPHAL: A mob destroyed the venue of an event a day ahead of the visit to the same by the Chief Minister of Manipur. The incident took place on Thursday in the Churachadpur district of Manipur.

According to the state police, the situation was very tense in the Churachadpur district of Manipur and steps have been taken to increase security in the region. A mob had vandalised and set fire to the decorations created for the visit of N Biren Singh. The chief minister was scheduled to inaugurate a gym and sports facility in the Churachadpur district of the state.

Section 144 has been enforced in several parts of the state and mobile internet services have been stopped until further notice following the incident.

Several videos went viral across media platforms showing people breaking chairs and damaging other furniture and equipment inside the venue which N Biren Singh was expected to visit today. They also set fire to the sports equipment and the ground where the open meeting was expected to be hosted.

The protest was allegedly led by the members of the Indigenous Tribal Leaders’ Forum. This group has been objecting to the Bharatiya Janata Party-led government’s survey of the protected forest areas and wetlands of the state. The organisation alleged that the state government had reportedly demolished religious places of worship with absolutely no consideration and respect for something that was deeply sacred.

In a statement made earlier, the organisation had mentioned that they were forced to carry out a non-co-operation campaign in the state and called for a bandh in the district from 8 AM to 4 PM.

The Kuki Students Organisation also supported the call from the Indigenous Tribal Leaders’ Forum blaming the state government for a “step-motherly treatment” towards the tribal population of the state.

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