Miscreants try to create tension at CCpur

IMPHAL, May 7: In the backdrop of possible communalization following the incident of arson at Silent village on May 3, reports have come in about certain unidentified miscreants trying to ride on the tension and create more problems at Churachandpur district by trying to set ablaze a hotel belonging to an individual of a certain community today.

The attempt was preceded by an alleged action of scattering of eviction notices against the people of the community yesterday at the new Bazaar Area of the Churachandpur town.

Following the development, several community leaders of the area held a meeting at the office of the Superintendent of Police while the police have filed a FIR against the act of alleged attempt to burn down the said hotel.

Police have in the meantime strengthened security in the district to curb any disturbances in the communal harmony in the district.

According to sources, hand written notes scribbled with, “Go back to your native place, this is our Kukiland, if you don’t go back you will burn day by day, this is our 1st and last warning, if you don’t go within two days we will burn your community” were allegedly scattered and pasted at some shops at New Bazar area in Churachandpur yesterday morning.

Even though the eviction notice scribbled papers were found yesterday scattered and pasted at shops in the area, the different communities that have been peacefully inhabiting since several years back ignored the incident as the handiwork of some miscreants and continued on as if nothing had happened.

However, this early morning around 4:30am, unidentified miscreants poured petrol on the wooden door of a hotel belonging to a man from a certain community and tried to set the hotel ablaze, according to sources.

The proprietor of the hotel, Ningthoujam Opendrajit Singh (35), son of (L) N Khelemba of New Bazar said that he saw a bright light when he woke up this morning and started his preparation for the day.

However when he opened his front door, he found the door burning. He tried to douse the fire by pouring water but  failing to do the needful, he used wet sacks to douse the fire, he claimed.

Soon after getting information about the incident, the Churachandpur police station Officer in Charge, Inspector Elvis Tunglut led a team and rushed to the spot. After due inquiry, a case was registered under FIR no 43 (5) 2013 CCP PS u/s 436/506/34 IPC.

Meanwhile, leaders of different communities’ today along with the CCPur SP Mangkhogin Haokip held a meeting at the police officer’s office chamber.

The meeting resolved to jointly condemn the acts and further to contain any unwanted incidents which could mar the peaceful co-existence of the communities by co-operating with the leaders of the communities, sources informed.

It is also learnt that the meeting further resolved to call a press conference tomorrow noon attended by the community leaders.

The SP Churachandpur has also initiated steps for security cover of the targeted community, informed the source.

Meanwhile, the Kuki State Demand Committee (KSDC) in a press statement has said that the committee condemns the reports in newspapers regarding an incident at Lamka Bus terminal in Churachandpur District on May 6, 2013 by some mischievous and anti-social elements which could incite distrust and enmity among communities.

"It is, therefore appealed to all the citizens to maintain peace, sanity and not to be carried away by irresponsible persons", it said and added, "The political demand of KSDC for Kuki State is based on the principles of non-violence and never believes on intimidation or threatening others but maintaining to live in peace with all communities even when the  Kuki State is created or curved out."