ITLF blames DC, SP; internet service suspended
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, February 16 2024:
A day after two protesters were killed in firing by security personnel as a mob ransacked and torched office of the deputy commissioner in Churachandpur district, the Indigenous Tribal Leaders' Forum (ITLF) reportedly convened an emergency meeting where various resolutions were adopted, including setting 24-hour deadline for the deputy commissioner (DC) and the superintendent of police (SP) to leave the district.
The ITLF also demanded to institute an inquiry leading to the death of two individuals and injuries caused to 25 others in the firing incident on Thursday night as Kuki civilians launched violent protest against the suspension of head constable Siamlalpaul after a selfie of him with armed miscreants went viral on social media.
The ITLF, in its emergency meeting at the KKL complex of Churachandpur on Friday resolved to take up legal procedures regarding those killed and injured by the security forces.
It also demanded revocation of the suspension of head constable Siamlalpaul immediately, inquiry on security personnel involved in the bring at civilians and punishment as per the law.
In a statement ITLF declared those killed in bring by the security forces, after protest turned violent and two vehicles engaged in transportation of security personnel were torched and the DC's office ransacked and burnt, would be considered Kuki-Zo martyrs and buried after all necessary actions, due procedures, and agreements with the government are completed.
It further stated that the February 15, 2024 public uprising and killings by the security forces will be called "The Wall of Remembrance Massacre" .
ITLF also held the Churachandpur SP Shivanand Surve, and the DC S Dharun Kumar entirely responsible for the incident asking them to leave the district within 24 hours.
In case the suspension order of the head constable is not revoked within 24 hours, and if the SP and DC do not leave the district within 24 hours, all government offices shall be closed.
Both the SP and DC will bear the responsibility for any untoward incidents that may fall on them, asserted the ITLF statement, adding that the DC and the SP should be replaced by Union Territory cadres preferably from the Kuki-Zo community by the central government.
A PTI report mentioned that offices of the SP and the DC were vandalised, vehicles used by CAPF torched by a mob and the national flag at the SP office complex was pulled down.
The violence broke out in the district on Thursday night as the mob barged into the government complex and torched vehicles hours after the head constable was suspended after he was seen with gunmen in a purported video.
Security forces fired several rounds of tear gas shells and used "minimum lethal force" to disperse the agitators and bring the situation under control.
Meanwhile, the state government has notified five-day suspension of mobile internet services across Churachandpur district.
The mobile internet services in Churachandpur district, suspended after violence erupted in the district, came into effect from 1:40 am on February 16.This precautionary measure aims to facilitate the smooth functioning of administration, the government informed, in an order issued by joint secretary (home) Dr Mayengbam Veto Singh.
The service suspended or restricted will cover internet services, mobile data services, and VPN-based internet/data services in the entire revenue jurisdiction of Churachandpur district.
The order cited concerns regarding potential misuse of social media platforms by certain anti-social elements to disseminate images, posts, and video messages inciting public unrest.