On Thursday, the state government issued prohibition orders under section 144 of CrPC in the districts of Kangpokpi and Churachandpur due to the violent nature of the protests against wildlife sanctuaries allegedly encroaching on tribal lands.
Since Thursday, March 9, prohibitions have been in effect in several state jurisdictions under Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC). According to the authorities, it will continue to be in effect until further notice.
The regions affected by Section 144 are Sapermeina and Motbung under the Saitu Gamphazoi subdivision, Saikul area under the Saikul subdivision, and Kangpokpi District HQ under Kangpokpi and Champhai sub-divisions, as reported by ANI.
Reasons for Issuing The Notice
People assembled in large numbers earlier on Friday near Thomas in Kangpokpi town for the protest rally called by various organizations, defying prohibitory orders, including the Indigenous Tribal Leaders’ Forum (ITLF), according to police, which PTI cited. According to ANI, people were protesting what they perceived to be state government injustice toward the land rights of the tribal community.
However, when officers attempted to scatter the protesters, a fight broke out, and bloody altercations ensued.
According to authorities cited by PTI, security forces fired tear gas shells at the locals, injuring at least five protestors. They also mentioned that some police officers were hurt after being struck by stones.
Later, they claimed, the officers brought the situation under control.
N Biren Singh, the chief minister of Manipur, responded to the clashes by claiming that the protesters were contesting constitutional provisions.
“They were contesting the constitutional provisions, and the locals were encroaching on protected areas, reserved woods, and wildlife refuges to grow poppies and run drug operations. That is the justification behind the gathering,” he claimed, as reported by PTI.
Later, through Kangpokpi assistant commissioner Kengoo Zuringla, the protesters delivered a memo to Governor Anusuiya Uikey.
As a result, on Thursday, Kangpokpi and Churachandpur regions were subject to section 144 of the CrPC, according to PTI.
What Does The Notice Mention?
The notice stated that having any public rally, procession, demonstration, or gathering of five people or more was prohibited. The statement further noted that it was forbidden for anyone to bring any lethal objects, including legally owned weapons, sticks, stones, firearms, weapons, chemicals, and other explosives.
Anyone caught breaking the rules will be punished under Indian Penal Code (IPC) Section 188, according to the notice.