A cop’s selfie is at the centre of the latest unrest in Manipur. Here’s what happened

The instability in Manipur continues. Every few weeks, tensions escalate in the Northeastern state. At the centre of the latest violence is the Kuki-Zo tribes-dominated Churachandpur district and a policeman who took a selfie.

The protests started against the suspension of a head constable, who belongs to the Kuki tribe. The action was taken against him after a selfie of him with “armed miscreants” went viral, according to reports in the media.

Also read: Explained: What’s behind the violence in Manipur?

The mob turns violent

A mob clashed with security forces as it stormed the district Superintendent of Police’s office. At least two people died and several others were injured as security personnel opened fire to disperse the crowds.

Violence erupted in the Churachandpur town on Thursday evening. A “mob numbering approximately 300-400 attempted to storm” the SP’s office and pelted stones, according to the police. They demanded the reinstatement of the head constable, Siamlalpaul, who took the selfie in a bunker of “armed miscreants” and “village defence volunteers” atop a hill, reports NDTV.

Visuals show protesters going on a rampage, committing arson. They set ablaze some police vehicles and parts of the district collector’s office.

Manipur churachandpur kukis vs kukis Fighting Yesterday 15/02/2024 pic.twitter.com/EOzPfxZswx

— NG Singh (@7840bimol) February 16, 2024

Security forces, including the Rapid Action Force (RAF), responded to the mob by firing teargas shells to control the escalating situation.

“Mob numbering approx. 300-400 attempted to storm the office of SP CCP today, pelting stones, etc. The SF [security forces] including the RAF [Rapid Action Force], is responding appropriately by firing tear gas shells to control the situation. Things are under watch,” the Manipur Police posted on X.

Mob numbering approx. 300–400 attempted to storm the office of SP CCP today, pelting stones, etc. The SF, including the RAF, is responding appropriately by firing tear gas shells to control the situation. Things are under watch..

— Manipur Police (@manipur_police) February 15, 2024

Internet services have been suspended in Churachandpur following the incident.

The situation in the district remained tense on Friday morning after the offices of the superintendent of police and the deputy commissioner were vandalised, vehicles used by CAPF [Central Armed Police Force] were torched by a mob and the national flag at the SP office complex was pulled down, an official told PTI.

“There is apprehension that some anti-social elements might use social media extensively for transmission of images, posts and video messages inciting the public, which might have serious repercussions for the law and order situation…,” a notification said.

“There is imminent danger for loss of lives/ damage to public or private property and widespread disturbances to public tranquillity and communal harmony as a result of inflammatory material and false rumours,” it added.

Also read: The Meiteis vs the Kuki battle, explained

The suspension of the cop

The Kuki policeman was suspended after a video and a selfie with “armed men” at what appears to be firing positions in the hills.

Siamlalpaul was kept “under suspension with immediate effect until further orders” by Churachandpur SP Shivanand Surve.

“This tantamount to very grave misconduct being a member of the disciplined police force,” a police order said. “A departmental inquiry is being contemplated against Siamlalpaul of Churachandpur district police, as a clip has gone viral on social media showing him making a video with armed men on February 14.”

The constable has been asked not to “leave the station without prior permission” and “his pay and allowances have been restricted to subsistence allowance admissible as per the rules”, it said, according to a report by CNN-News18.

The suspension angered locals who alleged the role of Meitei police personnel in the conflict has not seen similar action. After Thursday’s unrest, the Indigenous Tribal Leaders’ Forum (ITLF), a Kuki-Zo organisation based in Churachandpur, issued an ultimatum for Surve to “leave the district” within 24 hours, threatening that, if not, “he will bear sole responsibility for any future incident”, according to a report in The Indian Express.

ITLF spoke about the looting of arms from the 5th Indian Reserve Battalion in Imphal East on Tuesday, alleging that police allowed the weapons to be taken “without any resistance”.

“No one was hauled up for the incident. There are numerous personal accounts of Meitei police personnel leading mobs in attacking tribal villages. No action has been taken against them… If the SP cannot act with fairness, we will not allow him to remain in any tribal area. He should immediately revoke the suspension of the policeman and leave the district within 24 hours,” it said in a statement, The Indian Express report said.

The conflict in Manipur

Ethnic violence broke out in Manipur on 3 May 2023 between the Meiteis and the Kuki-Zo tribals.

More than 180 people have been killed and over 70,000 people of different communities have been displaced since then.

With inputs from agencies