CCpur dash: HSA gives darion call to maintain peace
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, April 30 2023: Expressing serious concern over the unwanted incidents that occurred in and around Churachandpur Town on April 28, Hmar Students' Association (HSA) General Headquarters has appealed to all concerned - the public and the law enforcement agencies - not to further deteriorate the prevailing atmosphere and strive towards establishing a prudent solution to all divergent stands between the conflicting parties.

In a release, HSA stated that they are deeply pained to learn that innocent civilians were injured in the incident that occurred out of certain misgivings.

HSA is of the firm opinion that no desirable outcome is achieved by violent means and all antithetical issues could amicably be solved through peaceful dialogue, the release maintained, while appealing to the agitating civil society organisations and the state machinery to put their heads together and amicably solve all issues including the contentious forest and village lands to the benefit of all stake holders.

Reiterating that forest, rivers and land are sacred to any tribal community of the world, HAS said that the state should take the forest and village settlers - whose very souls are deeply imbedded with nature - into confidence so that the very existence and livelihood including culture of tribal forest dwellers are not at stake.

The government should also strive to maintain utmost restraint while pursuing its noble cause of conserving the forest and its innumerable resources.

The released further urged parties concerned to come to the negotiation table and formulate a desirable roadmap for lasting solution to contentious issues of Reserved Forest and Human Settlements.

Meanwhile, after witnessing violence for two consecutive days, Churachandpur district on Sunday showed signs of returning to normalcy after additional security forces sent from other parts of the state were withdrawn on the previous evening.

Shops and markets have been opened in the morning while vehicles plied on the roads in Churachandpur town where the maximum protests and violence took place on Friday and Saturday, officials said.

People were also seen going to churches as there were no signs of protests on the streets.

Local people were also seen helping the authorities clear the roads which were full of stones, tree trunks and other barricades put up to restrict the movement of traffic during the agitation.

The protests were against a drive to evict villagers from reserve forest areas, which turned violent on Friday and Saturday, prompting the authorities to bring additional security forces from other parts of the state, mainly state capital Imphal which is around 60 kilometres away.

The additional security forces sent from outside, however, were withdrawn on Saturday evening following a meeting between the government and representatives of civil society organisations and student bodies, officials said.

These forces faced the ire of the protestors.

Night curfew has been imposed in the district from 5 pm to 5 am from Saturday until further orders, according to an official notification.

Prohibitory orders under Section 144 of CrPC and suspension of mobile internet services will also continue in the district, the officials said.

Unidentified miscreants set fire to forest department building on Saturday.

Clashes broke out between demonstrators and police personnel at various places in Churachandpur town Friday, with the security forces using batons, tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse the mob.

Even the venue of Chief Minister N Biren Singh's function was torched on Friday.

He had, however, deferred the programme.

(With inputs from PTI) .

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