Imphal: At least 12 trucks were burnt, two of which were carrying relief materials for relief camps in Churachandpur district by a mob of 800 to 1000 people on February 15, the Manipur Government said on Sunday.
Moreover, the mob also torched the official residence of the District Magistrate, Churachandpur. Even the National Flag is reported to have been disrespected in the incident. In the unfortunate incident, two persons lost their lives and one security force personnel was injured, a statement released by the state Home Department said.
Stating that the state government has been closely monitoring the efforts to restore normalcy in the state, the release said the government has time and again taken cognizance of the possible lapses in the conduct of various officials of the government.
On 15 February, the government also suspended seven officers of various communities from Imphal and one officer from Churachandpur, it noted.
Post the incident in Churachandpur, an organisation named ‘Indigenous Tribal Leaders’ Forum (ITLF), which claimed to be the apex body of all tribal leaders of the Kuki-Zo community issued press releases for three days consecutively, issuing direct threats against the Deputy Commissioner and Superintendent of Police of Churachandpur district, and even giving an ultimatum to them to leave the district and close government offices.
It further said, the state government through DC and SP, has been working tirelessly for the welfare of the displaced persons in all the districts since 3rd May, 2023. Even in the volatile condition, the officials have been ensuring all displaced persons in the districts are taken care of, and all relief material reaches the needy promptly, it added.
The release also noted that there have been reports from the Churachandpur district, accusing the government of delaying the relief material disbursement, post the 15th February incident.
It may be noted that the DC has always ensured that all relief materials such as rice, dal, vegetables and other consumables are released promptly for all camps, through the local civil society organisations. The last release was done on 12th/13th February where about 50,000 kg of rice, 245 bags of dal, 55 bags of sugar and other consumables such as vegetables, cooking oil, eggs, tea leaves and spices were distributed.
While stating that the official residence of the DC was ransacked and burnt, including all the official records, and documents kept therein, the press statement noted that even the bank documents were also destroyed in the said incident.
The government has already initiated the process of reconstruction of the said damaged, lost documents, it continued.
