All three Bills passed without any debate
Violent reactions erupt in CCpur, Sadar Hills, CrPC 144 invoked Residences of MLAs attacked, three killed in CCpur, bandh in hill areas total
Source: The Sangai Express

Lamka/Imphal, August 31 2015: At least three persons have been killed and many others sustained injuries as police and protesters clashed in different areas of Churachandpur district as mobs went on rampage attacking residences of Ministers, MLAs and MP Thangsoi Baite tonight.

A mob, agitated over the passing of three Bills that was seen to have infringed upon the rights of the tribal people, tonight ransacked and set afire several properties of all the MLAs from the district.

While one protester succumbed to burn injuries he suffered in the ensuing melee, two were killed in police firing.

They have been identified as Thangzalian (20) s/o Vungching of Hiangtam Lamk, H.Paulianmang (23) S/o (L) H.Thianlal of Dorcas Veng and Pausuanlian (19) s/o Zenkhanching of New Lamka Vengnuam.

The mob, that gathered together following a bout of alarm bells, initially attacked the residence of Health Minister Phungzathang Tonsing located at New Lamka around 6 pm.

They ransacked the house and set aflame several furniture items.

The concrete structure too caught the fire by 7 pm as water tankers, fire tenders and police who had rushed to the spot were attacked and forced to turn back.

Houses of Minister Phungzathang, MLAs Vungzagin, Ginsuanhau and vehicles set ablaze by a mob (Clockwise from top)

Then a group people who were part of the mob moved towards the residence of Thanlon MLA Vungzagin Valte, also located at New Lamka, where they set ablaze the security sentry post and a vehicle.

Deputy Commissioner Lunminthang Haokip, who rushed towards the Minister's residence also received the wrath of the mob as his official vehicle along with that of his escorts were vandalised and overturned at Damkam Bazar.

Meanwhile, the district administration has imposed restrictions on gathering five or more persons as well as carrying objects that can be used as weapons under CrPC 144 with effect from 7 pm today until further notice.

The mob also attacked the residences of Singngat MLA Ginsuanhau Zou at Lailam Veng and that of Henglep MLA T Manga Vaiphei located at Hill Town.

In their efforts to control the situation, security forces opened several rounds of fire inflicing injuries to some protesters.

Several properties including two vehicles were burnt and damaged in both the MLAs residences.

Exact quantum of damages caused in tonight's mob fury was still difficult to comprehend as the situation is still simmering and the mob that had expanded across the township was still violent.

Gun shots could be heard till the time of filing this report.

A mob, in the meantime, set ablaze the house of Hill Areas Committee Chairman Dr Chaltonlien Amo.

It is reported that that another mob attacked and set blaze the house of MLA TN Haokip located at Tuibong.

Another report says that the residence of Ngamthang Haokip was attacked by a mob at Saparmeina and MLA Nemcha Kipgen's house located at Kangpokpi was also set ablaze at 10,30 pm.

Although not much damage was done to the house due to timely intervention by security forces one security barrack was completely reduced to cinders.

The mob made a second attempt and burnt down the house of Ngamthang Haokip a few hours later.

On the other hand, effigies of some tribal MLAs were in Churachandpur in the course of the 12 hours total bandh called by KSO, ANSAM and ATSUM Meanwhile, additional security forces in- cluding commando teams have been sent to Chu-rachandpur from Bishnupur and Imphal.

Lamka: Driven by a conviction that the three Bills passed today in the State Assembly was a mere ploy to annihilate the tribal people and their lands by the majority community, the 12 hours bandh imposed today by tribal student bodies to protest the Bills received mas- sive support in Chura-chandpur.

As the bandh hours were coming to an end, effigies of Chief Minister O Ibobi and all the six MLAs from the district besides the MP were set aflame by bandh supporters in front of the Zomi Students' Federation's office at Salem Veng.

A huge crowd gathered to witness the burning of the effigies of the peoples' representatives and they chanted slogans against the MLAs and the CM for passing the three Bills which have purportedly threatened the tribal rights.

Earlier in the day, the mood in town was visibly sober as people discussed the likely impacts of the Bills.

However, as news about the Bills being passed without any hindrance was recei- ved at the township, the bandh assumed extreme forms with bandh supporters burning tyres in several pockets that was soon tailed by the burning of effigies.

As night sets in, a huge crowd numbering hundreds ransacked and burnt the residences of several MLAs.

Ukhrul: The 12 hours total bandh jointly called by ANSAM, ATSUM and KSO ended peaceful at Ukhrul District, Mungchan Zimik reports.

Tangkhul Student Union TKS, a unit of ANSAM and ATSUM enforced a total shut down of inter district passenger services and other vehicular activities at Ukhrul in support of the 12 hours bandh.

Shops and other establishment remained shut and Government Offices wore a deserted look due .

Schools and Colleges also remained closed today.

The student body, while opposing the Bills, said the new Bills will overlap Article 371C and Manipur Hill People Administration Regulation Act 1947 .

No report of any untoward incident till the filing of this report.

Chandel: Normal life in Chandel district was paralysed today due to the 12 hrs Hill Districts bandh called by the Joint Tribal Students' Organisations of the State against the introduction of three Bills in the special session of the Manipur Assembly on last Friday.

Vehicular movement along the Imphal-Moreh stretch of National Highway 102, Chandel District Headquarters Road and other Sub-Divisional Head quarters roads came to grinding halt as bandh supporter blocked the roads at several places.

Volunteers of the Students' bodies blocked and prohibited vehicular movements along the Imphal � Moreh section of National Highway at Moreh, Tengnoupal and Molnoi areas, Sugnu - Chakpikarong road at Sugnu Tribal, Singtam and Chakpikarong Sub-Divisional Headquarters.

Passenger and private vehicles kept off the roads along Pallel, Chandel District Head Quarters Road as bandh supporters came out and blocked the road stretch at several places.

Shops and commercial establishment, however, remained open in the District Head Quarters.

Government Offices located in the District Head quarters recorded low attendance.

No report of any untoward incident till filing of this report.

Senapati and Sadar Hills: The 12 hour total bandh in all hill district of the State imposed by Kuki Students' Organization, All Naga Students' Association Manipur and ATSUM paralyzed Senapati district and Sadar Hills.

The joint tribal students' bodies had imposed a 12 hour total bandh in all hill districts of the State against the introduction of the Protection of Manipur Peoples Bill, 2015, the Manipur Land Revenue & land Reforms (Seventh Amendment) Bill, 2015 and the Manipur Shop & Establishment (Second Amendment) Bill, 2015 in the Special Session of the Manipur Assembly on August 28 in Manipur Legislative Assembly.

All vehicular movements including inter-state passenger buses, essential commodities carriers, wingers along the Trans Asian Highway No.1 in Senapati and Sadar Hills were paralyzed owing to the bandh.

Educational institutions, business establishments and Government establishments remained closed for the day rendering Senapati DHQ completely deserted from early morning till late in the evening.

A similar state of affairs was witnessed at Kangpokpi and other Tribal dominated areas within Sadar Hills along the Trans Asian Highway.

A large number of bandh supporters' burnt tyres along the Trans Asian Highway at Kangpokpi, Sapormeina, Motbung and Gamgiphai hampering traffic movements in the area.

At Kangpokpi, volunteers burnt down copies of the Bills which were passed today.

At Sapormeina, Motbung and Gamgiphai and Saikul, a huge number of volunteers obstructed the highway by burning tyres and trees along the road.

However, no untoward incident has been reported till filling of this report.

In the mean time, Thangminlen Kipgen, president, KSO, Sadar Hills, while speaking to media person at Kangpokpi, said the State Government should be aware of the intense resistance of the tribal people over the Bills which were passed today.

The introduction and passing of the contentious Bills evidently demonstrate how ignorant the State Chief Minister is about the interest of the tribal people, Thangminlen Kipgen stated.

The new Bills goes against the Article 371C and Manipur Hill People Administration Regulation Act, 1947, he said adding that, "The Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh should resign right away on the ground that he is totally in the dark of the Constitution." Thangminlen Kipgen further expressed grave disappointment with the Chairman of HAC and other Tribal Ministers and MLAs for not opposing the Bills in the special session of the Manipur Assembly and has asked the same to step down if they incapable of being the people representative.

ATSUM president Joseph R Hmar, in the meantime, has extended heartfelt gratitude to all the tribal people who have supported the stir today assuring at the same time that ATSUM will, in every way, opposed activities which will impede the rights and interest of the tribal people.

The deceased persons have been identified as Thangzalian (20) s/o Vungching of Hiangtam Lamka, H Paulianmang (23) S/o (L) H Thianlal of Dorcas Veng and Pausuanlian (19) s/o Zenkhanching of New Lamka Vengnuam.

Injured persons have been identified as Enkhankhup (19) s/o Nangzachin of LV Lane New Lamka, Thongkhopao alias Paoneo (28) s/o (L) Jangkhotil of Bijang, B Vengnom, David Vanlalrem (24) s/o Lalbieksang of Rengkai, Khailaljohn (25) s/o Dimneihlam of Chiengko-pang, Gouzakham (28) s/o Gingoukap of New Lamka, Remruolsang ( 21) Ramhnun of Muolvaiphei, Muansiam (36) s/o Nengkhogin of Vengnuam, Khumzamung (17) s/o Paukhannun of N/L, Luanbiaksang (36) s/o Thongkai of Nehru Marg, Thangsiankham (22) s/o Thuamkham of Vengnuam New Lamka, Joyson (30) s/o Kamzadong of Hebron Veng, New Lamka, Jangminchin (18) s/o Late Holkholam of Molnom and Thangkaplian (23) s/o Mangsuanmung of Gangpimual.