ITLF's latest move : Govt offices locked in CCpur
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, February 19 2024: Subsequent to the ITLF's ultimatum for replacement of the Churachandpur Deputy Commissioner and the Superintendent of Police, and the public notice which asked State Government employees to stay away from their offices, most of the State Government offices located in the district have been locked.

With the offices locked, no employee could be seen attending office, sources informed.

Meanwhile ITLF media cell spokesman Ginza Vualzong told a regional news channel that the order issued by the State Government on February 18 which threatened employees with 'no work, no pay' rule would not bring anything positive but it would rather infuriate the Kuki-Zo people.

In order to resolve the Churachandpur issue, both the DC and the SP must be replaced and other demands of ITLF must be addressed, Ginza Vualzong said.

ITLF's latest move : Govt offices locked in CCpur

Maintaining that the DC and the SP were responsible for the death of two persons in firing by security forces on a mob on February 15, Ginza Vualzong said that the ITLF would call off its agitation if their demands are granted.

Head Constable Siamlalpaul of Manipur Police was suspended recently after he was seen together with Kuki militants in a viral video.

Hours after the suspension, unruly mobs attacked the DC office, the SP's office and the mini secretariat.

As many vehicles parked inside the mini secretariat compound were set ablaze, security forces opened fire in order to control the situation and two persons were killed while many others sustained injuries.

Subsequently ITLF served an ultimatum on the State Government demanding replacement of DC Dharun Kumar and SP Shivanand Surve, and also cancellation of Head Constable Siamlalpaul's suspension order within 24 hours.

As the ultimatum expired yesterday, the ITLF issued a public notice asking all State Government employees not to attend their office from Monday until further notice.

Taking strong exception to the ITLF's public notice, the State Government issued an order yesterday warning all its employees not to follow or enforce the public notice.

The order issued by Chief Secretary Vineet Joshi warned that employees who violate the same order would be booked and prosecuted under relevant provision of law.

It also said that the 'no work, no pay' rule shall be enforced by all the State Government offices/institutions against those employees who do not attend their official duty without authorised leave.

It further advised all Central and State Government authorities and management authorities of institutions/establishments/autonomous bodies to ensure strict attendance of staff and students as usual.

Apart from directing all District Magistrates and Superintendents of Police to take up necessary action to enforce the same order, it dismissed the ITLF's public notice as illegal and devoid of any authority.