CM cancels CCpur visit as venue vandalised for second time
Stand offs continue, mobile data service suspended
Source: The Sangai Express

CCpur, April 28 2023: Chief Minister N Biren is learnt to have cancelled his Churachandpur visit to inaugurate an open gym and attend the local MLA's anniversary programme today as the event's venue has been vandalised for the second time.

Unruly mobs reportedly against the Chief Minister's visit to the district set on fire the open gym last night which was scheduled to be inaugurated by the Chief Minister today.

They also vandalised the arrangements made for the inaugural function at Sadbhavna Mandap.

The violence came hours after ITLF, allegedly aggrieved by the Government's apathy over the grievances and apprehensions it raised over survey of protected forest, reserved forests, eviction of village and demolition of Churches decided to launch a non-cooperation movement against Government related programmes and announced imposition of total shutdown in the entire district on Friday.

CM cancels CCpur visit as venue vandalised for second time

Following last-night's incidents, the district Magistrate has clamped prohibitory order under section 144 CrPC in the entire district and the State Home Department has also suspended mobile data service in the district for 5 days effective last night.

Today, amidst the ITLF total shutdown and a huge security deployment in and around the vicinity of the meeting venue, another mob reportedly aggrieved by the news that the Chief Minister was still planning to attend the meeting despite last night's incident again attacked the event venue.

People who had gathered at the Sadbhavna Mandap were seen taking cover with plastic chairs while others ducked to the ground to avoid stones pelted by the mob.

The crowd, mostly Government employees who had gathered, dispersed as it was announced that the event has been cancelled and the Chief Minister will not be visiting the district.

Although the crowd had dispersed, a lengthy stand-off ensued between the mob and the security personnel.

The police fired several rounds of mock-bombs, tear-gas shells and also fired live rounds in the air to disperse the mob during their multiple stand-offs at the narrow lanes leading to the venue.

The stand-off continued till late into the night as tension ran high and intermittent sounds of mock bombs/gear gas shells being fired by the security forces could be heard even at the time of filing this report.

Sources said several people, both from the streets enforcing the shutdown and those involved in the stand-off have been picked up by the police with some even putting the number to over a dozen.

However, the exact figure could not be ascertained as no official communication has been received from the police or the local administration.

The ITLF, has meanwhile dubbed their 8 am to 4 pm shutdown a great success and thanked the public for extending co-operation in the fight for tribal rights.

"The support from the public of the district is tremendous and heartening," it said adding, as the shutdown has already served its purpose the total shutdown is called off with immediate effect.

The stand-off between the police and the mob however continued hours after the announcement and tensions were still running high, at the time this report was filed.