Flash bandh hits Chandel; Forest office set ablaze
Source: Hueiyen News Service / Gyanand Naorem

Chandel, September 15 2015: The office building of Divisional Forest Officer, Chandel was set on fire by unidentified miscreants in Chandel District Headquarter on Tuesday around 9.30 pm.

The fire reportedly engulfed all the rooms of the office building while properties of the department housed inside were reduced to cinders.

The caretaker of the office said that she saw smoke billowing from inside the office at around 9.30 am when she was busy washing clothes.

She immediately rushed to the office, raised alarm and broke the office complex gate using a hammer as it was locked by the unidentified miscreants.

Flash bandh hits Chandel; Forest office set ablaze

One fire tender vehicle rushed to douse the fire but never returned after the vehicle went back to refill water due to the flash bandh imposed by the Committee on Protection of Tribal Rights (CoPoTR), Chandel District, said the woman.

A reliable source informed that the office building was set ablaze in connection with the ongoing agitation launched by CoPoTR which was protesting against the State Government for issuing notification on rescheduling the function of electing the ADC Chairman.

It may be mentioned that CoPoTR strongly opposed the government's notification.

Flash Bandh affects normal life in Chandel .

Meanwhile, large number CoPoTR volunteers came out on the streets and enforced a flash bandh in Chandel District headquarters on Tuesday against the use of an Anal traditional shawl as table cloth during the election of Chandel ADC Chairman in Imphal on Monday.

The bandh supporters blocked the Chandel District Headquarters road by burning tyres, piling of tree branches and timbers at several places.

Shops and all business establishments in the District headquarters were totally shut during the bandh.

CoPoTR volunteers also locked down the offices located in the Mini Secretariat of Chandel District.

Speaking to media persons, CoPoTR leader Wng Kohring Victor, who is also the President of Anal Tribe, while referring to the use of traditional shawl said, "It is a direct insult not only to the Anal Tribe but to all the tribal community".

He said the DC, CEO, Presiding Officer of the Election and all the ADC members who took part in the election should appear before the Anal Customary Court within 48 hours to apologize.

Meanwhile, the social organisations of Anal Tribe held an emergency meeting at Maha Area Chief's Association (MACA) Hall, Panchai Village in Chandel District Headquarters on Tuesday and condemned the use of Anal traditional shawl.

The meeting resolved that the Deputy Commissioner, Chief Executive Officer of ADC Chandel, Presiding Officer of the Election and all the ADC members should appear before the Anal Customary Court within 48 hours and should issue apologies for the same.

The meeting further resolved to launch intensified agitations if the persons in connection with the episode failed to turn up before the court.