ITLF gives strike call, mob damages CM event venue
Source: Chronicle News Service / Kaimuanthang Mangte

Churachandpur, April 27 2023: Even as the Indigenous Tribal Leaders' Forum (ITLF) called for an 8-hour shutdown in Churachandpur district from 8 am on Friday and a mob destroyed and set afire the newly developed Open Gym at PT Sports Complex which was set for inaugurating by chief minister N Biren on Friday.

The mob also damaged platform and furniture items arranged at the nearby Sadbhavna Mandap Hall, New Lamka, where formal inauguration of the Open Gym alongside the first anniversary of the election of Churachandpur MLA LM Khaute would be held.

The incident happened at about 7.40 pm Thursday when a large mob gathered at PT Sports Complex and destroyed facilities/ equipment installed for the Open Gym.

The mob also destroyed instrument, chairs and furniture items arranged at the complex for Friday's function.

Some of the mob raised alarm bell which led to swelling of numbers and ransacking of the remaining items.

The mob then moved inside the Sadbhavna Mandap Hall after overpowering police personnel deployed there and destroyed chairs, PA system and other furniture items arranged for the inauguration function.

Some of the mob damaged stage and PA system while some others broke window panes of the hall.

Later, the mob set afire broken plastic chairs, banners, signboards and posters in front of the hall similar to a large bonfire.

By the time this report was filed, no police reinforcement came and the mob continued to surround the hall and control the area.

Earlier, citing lackadaisical attitude of the state government towards addressing the plight of the people, Indigenous Tribal Leaders' Forum (ITLF) called for an 8-hour shutdown in Churachandpur district from 8 am Friday.

A release issued by ITLF stated that the forum has submitted several memoranda to the state government highlighting grievances and apprehensions (about the survey carried out by the government) pertaining to reserved forest/protected forest/wetlands/wildlife and eviction of villages.

"It also hurt our sentiments that the government has demolished Churches and has absolutely no consideration and respect for something which is deeply sacred to those following the Christian faith," the release added.

Even after repeated memoranda, the state government has shown no signs of willingness, no sincerity to address the plight of the people nor has the government shown contrition with regard to this, ITLF said.

Heeding the cry of the people and to show the dejection and dissatisfaction of the people over the unlawful activities of the government, ITLF has been compelled to resort to non-co-operation of all government related programmes and has called for a total shutdown in the district, the statement added.

ITLF also appealed to the people to support and extend cooperation in demonstrating dissent against the state government.

Various student bodies have also endorsed the shutdown being called by ITLF.

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