Two people died in police firing, one person, an associate of a legislator, was burnt to death and several were injured after violence erupted in Manipur’s Churachandpur town hours after the legislative assembly of the northeastern state passed three bills. Indefinite curfew has been imposed in the area.
The violence was still on at the time of filing this report, with the police using batons and teargas to disperse the mob. In some areas police have resorted to firing.
Police sources added that groups opposed to the bills went on a rampage , many shops were burnt down and government, police and private vehicles damaged.
The main cause of objection is to an amendment bill which make tribal areas — currently off limits to non-tribals — accessible to all and lead to tribals, the Nagas and the Kukis, losing their land.