CBI entrusted to probe CCpur incident: CM
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, March 01 2024: Chief minister N Biren Singh has informed that eight FIRs have been registered in connection with the torching of government offices in Churachandpur town on February 15 with two of the FIRs handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for thorough enquiry.

CM Biren, who also holds the home portfolio, shared the information in Friday's session of the 12th Manipur Legislative Assembly, replying to a calling attention motion raised by Congress MLA K Meghachandra.

Raising the motion, the MLA queried action taken, if any, by the government regarding torching of government structures including offices of the DC and SP in Churachandpur as well as the disrespect shown to the tricolour during the February 15 protest against suspension of a police head constable.

According to N Biren, video recordings of the February 15 incident have been repeatedly assessed with some militants armed with AK-47 rifles detected accordingly mentioned in the FIRs.

Out of the eight FIRs, two have been transferred to the CBI for investigation while 20 people who targeted the DC's office and attacked the SP office amidst the mob violence have been identified, the CM said, adding that the government is trying to prevent such incidents in future.

Strongly condemning the act of arson in Churachandpur which led to setting on fire two rooms of the DC's office and one each room of SDO and SDC, Biren conceded that the DC's bungalow could not be saved from the mob violence though no significant damage was done to SP office which is still functioning.

The chief minister also made it clear in the House that SP Churachandpur took action against the police head constable consequent to video clips of the policeman mingling with Kuki militants along with expressing that the mob gathered merely to show their disappointment over suspending the policeman.

Before the incident, Saikot MLA Paolienlal Haokip posted a tweet on social media which the government is trying to investigate with follow up activities of the MLA by registering an FIR, CM Biren maintained, adding that the series of unwanted incidents happened on the night just after MLA Paolienlal's tweet.

The chief minister further informed the House that police made futile attempt to save the DC office and warned the mob with baton charge initially before using smoke bombs to disperse the mob.

From among the mob, some armed men fired towards the security forces, thus leading to retaliation and injuries caused to around 50 people, two of whom succumbed to injuries, he added.

Attack on establishments, disrespect to the tricolour and torching of DC and SP offices prompted the government to take up necessary action, Biren said and further informed that the government has taken up measures to save important documents from arson while 80 percent of land records have been digitised and stored at safe location.

Earlier, raising the calling attention motion, MLA Meghachandra noted that the government has been working tirelessly to solve problems caused after a series of unwanted incidents happened in the wake of outbreak of the May 3, 2023 conflict.

Among the series of unwanted incidents was the Churachandpur incident, wherein DC and SP offices were attacked merely for suspending a police constable.

The tricolour was also disrespected and such actions were serious crime, he said and sought an answer as to what action has been initiated so far by the government.

The MLA also drew the attention of the chief minister if any action had been taken against MLA Paolienlal, who is alleged to be mastermind behind the May 3, 2023 clash between the Meeteis and Kukis, as per a remark on the social media by minister Govindas Konthoujam.

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