Violence in Manipur: Churachandpur District in Manipur has been subjected to temporary internet ban, Section 144, and other restrictions by the state government, following a mob attack on Thursday, April 27, in which an open gym at PT Sports Complex in New Lamka was set on fire.
The gym was supposed to be inaugurated by Chief Minister N Biren Singh. In addition to the arson, the mob also vandalized the public meeting venue at Sadhbhav Mandap.
An unruly mob set fire to the venue where Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh was scheduled to inaugurate an open gym and sports facility on Thursday evening in New Lamka, Churachandpur district.
According to reports, the venue was damaged with hundreds of burning chairs before the local police dispersed the mob. The newly set-up open gym at PT Sports complex in New Lamka, which Biren Singh was slated to inaugurate on Friday afternoon, was partially torched by the agitated mob, as per the police.
In addition to the open gym inauguration, Manipur CM Biren Singh was also set to attend one more function organized by a local at Sadbhavna Mandap.
As per reports, the mob violence was allegedly instigated by the Indigenous Tribal Leaders' Forum, which has been opposing the BJP-led state government's survey of reserved and protected forest areas, along with the wetlands. The forum accused the state government of demolishing churches.
In a statement, the forum announced that it was forced to carry out a non-cooperation campaign against the government, hindering its programs. They also called for an eight-hour strike in the district on Friday from 8 am.
The Kuki Students' Organisation has also shown support for the Indigenous Tribal Leaders' Forum and accused the government of showing a biased attitude towards the tribals of the state.
Earlier this month, the Manipur government demolished three churches in the state, citing them as illegally constructed.
