Houses torched in Kamjong: Curfew imposed and mobile data suspended

Pothashang News Service: Imphal, March 16, 2020: At least 150 houses including a school and a motorbike were gutted into fire during a clash of villagers in Kamjong district, Manipur on Monday. A ministerial team led by Deputy Chief Minister Yumnam Joykumar Singh visited the site of the incident and a three-member committee is formed to look into the matter.

The incident took place in the morning. The District Magistrate has imposed prohibitory order under Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 to prevent any kind of damages to human life, public properties and any other unwanted activities. The order prohibited assembly of 5 (five) or more persons, carrying of lethal weapons such as sticks, stones, firearms and prohibits movement of people out of their houses in and around the Chassad-Kamjong and along the main road of Sampui area till further notice. Additional security forces has been deployed in the scheduled area to control the clash and cool down the irate mob. The police fired tear gas shells against the mob. Mobile data has been suspended in the state to control the situation.

Chief Minister N. Biren Singh addressed in a press conference held in this regard at Chief Minister’s Secretariat on Monday evening that the situation in Chassad village of Kamjong District is now under control and the Government has constituted a three-member committee to enquire into the events leading to the incident of violence, burning of houses and vehicles. He further said that the three-member committee headed by Additional Chief Secretary Dr. Suhel Akhtar would submit a detailed report of the incident within ten days and the committee would also suggest measures to prevent similar future incidents.

N. Biren Singh said that the unfortunate incident should be a handy work of some miscreants, and it should not be given a communal colour at all. Taking the matter seriously, the Government immediately sent a team led by Deputy Chief Minister Y. Joykumar to the village to look over the situation and meet leaders of different communities.

Stating that Agriculture Minister V. Hangkhanlian, Education Minister Th. Radheshyam, Water Resources Minister Letpao Haokip, MLAs Khashim Vashum and K. Leishiyo were part of the team, the Chief Minister informed that they headed for Chassad in a helicopter at around 12:10 pm after holding an emergency Cabinet meeting.

Informing that the situation is now calm and he had discussed the matter with the representatives Kuki Inpi as well in his office, N. Biren further said that in addition to a medical team, relief materials including blankets, tents, essential items and drinking water would be sent to the village tomorrow morning. A strong security team led by ADGP L. Kailun is now stationed in the village, he added.

He assured that the Government would build houses for all those whose houses were gutted and compensate for the properties lost in the incident after making an assessment.

The Chief Minister further appealed to the public to maintain calm and avoid spreading rumour on social media which may fuel communal flare-up. As the situation is now under control and the matter is almost resolved, ban on mobile internet may be lifted from tomorrow.

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