Govt's move to demolish Govt quarters at Tribal Colony strongly opposed
At least two hurt in tense stand off with cops
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, May 09 2022: At least 2 persons were injured when police resorted to tear gas shelling while controlling a mob which rose against the move to demolish the Government's Quarters at Tribal Colony, New Checkon today.

The All Tribal Students' Union, Manipur (ATSUM) however claimed that 4 persons were injured in police action.

The injured persons have been identified as Songbiakthang Hangsing (36) son of Chinzatung Hangsing and Somila Raikhan alias Paishola (65), wife of late Thotwon Raikhan.

The incident happened at around 1 pm when the occupants of Tribal Colony strongly opposed and confronted the State Government's move to demolish the quarters to make way for a new construction.

The occupants of the colony tried to stop the demolition on the ground that the demolition was carried out without giving any prior information to the occupants and alternative arrangements for their shelter.

Govt's move to demolish Govt quarters at Tribal Colony strongly opposed

Soon the incident turned ugly with police resorting to tear gas shelling while attempting to control the mob.

A tear gas shell fired near the quarter of Tengnoupal SP B Golianmang while attempting to control the mob injured Songbiakthang Hangsing on his right cheek and Somila Raikhan on her left ankle.

The injured persons have been rushed to JNIMS hospital for treatment.

Speaking to reporters, an occupant of the Tribal Colony who identified himself as one Atham Makang claimed that the State Government did not give prior information and make alternative arrangement for shifting the occupants.

He said that the occupants will warmly accept the Government order had it made an alternative arrangement before asking them to vacate their quarters.

Decrying that the Additional SP of Imphal East should be responsible for injuring the occupants, Atham demanded that the Government bear the medical expenses for the treatment of the injured persons.

Later, the demolition work was halted in the evening.

MLA of Wangkhei Assembly Constituency Th Arun also arrived at the place and tried to bring the two opposing sides to come to a talk.

The JCBs which were brought to demolish the old structures was later instead used to clear the clogged drains in the area.

On the other hand, Imphal East DC Khumanthem Daina told the media on the sidelines that the Works Department had issued an order to the respective occupants of the Government quarters to vacate their places in March 2021 for the construction of new buildings.

Continuing that most occupants of the Government quarter have not vacated their quarters even today defying the Government order, the DC conveyed that the Government is even providing house rent allowance (HRA) to the occupants in order to get an alternative arrangement.

She appealed to the occupants of the colony to vacate the Government quarter at the earliest as the responsible Government employees.