CCpur violence rages on Death toll reaches 7, CSOs demand Centre's intervention
Source: The Sangai Express

Lamka, September 01 2015: A day after protesters burnt the houses of their representatives to protest the passing of three Bills in the State Assembly that are seen as 'anti-tribal' and infringement on the traditional tribal land ownership rights, more vio-lence seized the district even as the death toll reaches 7 .

Violence again began around noon today as security forces enforcing the curfew imposed by the district administration and a group of agitated protesters clashed at the heart of the town following the brutal attack on protesters.

The attack on two protesters, which they alleged was with a dagger, infuriated the protesters all the more.

The crowd eventually swelled and forced the security forces to retreat - for about an hour - into the Police Station, despite the State forces resorting to firing heavy bouts of blank fire and tear gas shells.

Roads being blocked by prostesters at Sadar Hills and Churachandpur on Tuesday

The protesters even set aflame several items at the police gate but eventually dispersed as the State forces resorted to heavy firing and pointed their guns at them.

Two protesters were immediately killed in front of the station gate while at least 9 others sustained injuries.

The two bodies were picked up only after the confrontation subsided, while one of the injured protester succumbed at the District Hospital.

With three more protesters losing their lives today, the toll during the course of this agitation has reached 7 as another charred body was discovered early today from the residence of Henglep MLA T Manga Vaiphei.

The three people who lost their lives in police firing today are identified as Khai- zamang, 12 s/o Thangzalam of Bijang; Khamthianmuan 22 s/o Kamkhenthang of Pear-sonmun; and Zamminthang Valte s/o Vungkhozam of College Veng.

Meanwhile, Kuki Inpi Churachandpur, Hmar Inpui and Zomi Council have today issued a joint declaration which was adopted during a meeting that was jointly chaired by representatives of the SoO group, UPF and KNO.

The joint meeting also attended by the respective fron- tal organisations of the three tribal bodies unanimously condemned the three Bills passed by Manipur Assembly on August 31, 2015 and called for the intervention of the Union Government as they find the present imbroglio as a manifestation of the age-old political grievances of the tribals in Manipur.

The five-point resolution said the three Bills passed yesterday are viewed as anti-tribals which impinged on the traditional tribal rights and land ownership rights.

It censured the 1951 baseline fixed for identification of 'people of Manipur' as well saying it is a 'mockery of historical facts,' and added that the manner in which the Bills are bulldozed and passed unanimously without any discussion or debate on the floor of the house is undemocratic and unparliamentary.

The meeting also resolved to give a 10 days deadline to Hill Areas Committee (HAC) to convene a meeting and take appropriate steps to either repeal the bills or insert exceptional clause in the Bills.

They also said the incident occurred in different parts of hill districts since August 31 are unfortunate and should not be taken along communal lines.

While expressing their deep sorrow and condolences to the precious lives being lost for the cause of the tribals, the declaration condemned the security personnel responsible for causing death and injury.

It also called for appropriate ex-gratia to all the deceased and compensation to the injured and all properties destroyed.

Finally, the declaration signed by the President/Chairman of Kuki Inpi Churachandpur, Hmar Innpui and Zomi Council said, 'the current imbroglio is a manifestation of the age-old political grievances of the tribals in Manipur.

To this extent the gathering resolved that the Union Government should immediately intervene to find a permanent political solution for the tribals of Manipur' .