A mob set on fire the houses of five Congress legislators, including the State’s Health Minister and Congress’ lok Sabha MP from Manipur Outer constituency at Churachandpur district in protest against the Manipur legislative Assembly’s decision to pass three controversial Bills on Monday.
The Manipur Assembly on Monday unanimously passed the Protection of Manipur People Bill, 2015, the Manipur land Revenue and land Reforms (Seventh Amendment) Bill, 2015 and the Manipur Shops and Establishments (Second Amendment) Bill, 2015. The Bills were introduced in the House on August 28.
There were, however, large scale opposition from different sections against passing of the Bills, which the locals-mostly Naga and Kuki say, would infringe upon their rights. Several students’ and civil society organisations have called for a 12-hour bandh on Monday in protest against introduction of the three Bills.
“The incident took place around 6 pm when a large group of people took to the streets in Churachandpur and forcefully entered the houses of the five Congress legislators and set those on fire,” said a senior police official in Churachandpur. He said that the houses were partially damaged due to the torching.
“The situation is under control as of now but tension is simmering. There were large number of people in the group and they went on rampage defying the existing law and order situation,” he said, adding the indefinite curfew had been imposed in and around the district.
The affected properties included that of State Health Minister Phungzathang Tonsing, lok Sabha MP from Manipur Outer constituency Thangso Baite and four other Congress legislators, including TN Haokip (Saikot constituency), Chalton lien Amo (Tipaimukh), Manga Vaiphei (Henglep) and Vungzagin Valte (Thanlom constituency).
The agitators said the Bills overlap Article 371C and Manipur Hill People Administration Regulation Act, 1947 and warned that the tribals would not be a silent spectator when the tribal rights are threatened by this way of systematic infringement.
The passing of the Manipur land Revenue and land Reforms (Seventh Amendment) Bill, 2015 will allow the Meiteis to buy lands in Tribal Kuki and Naga areas.