Condemning the demolition of a multipurpose building in the early hours of Wednesday as a part of eviction drive at Chingmeirong in Imphal East by the state police, locals staged a sit-in protest near the destroyed building on Thursday.
The building was being used as offices of Chingmeirong Youth Welfare Association (CYWA), Chingmeirong Mamang Awang Leikai Shinglup (CMALS) and Chingmeirong Apunba Meira Paibi.
The three associations announced a 12-hour general strike from 6 am till 6 pm on Friday in the periphery of Chingmeirong area, including a stretch of NH-2 passing along the locality.
Speaking to the media, CMALS secretary Kh Thangamba said it is unfortunate that some vested interest individuals are trying to acquire the office buildings and park of the local clubs including a portion of the Chingmeirong Upper Primary School which have been standing since many decades ago.
He said that the eviction was conducted following a case filed by one Maibam Haripriyari from Taothong. The locals of Chingmeirong have resolved to ban her from entering the locality, he added.
By producing the first athlete of powerlifting in the state, the club and the local park took a pivotal role in the promotion of powerlifting in Manipur, he said.
He further informed that buying and selling of land in the locality without permission of the Shinglup and club had been banned since time immemorial. No outsiders will be allowed to construct anything on the said land where eviction was conducted, he added.
He also drew the attention of the chief minister to look into “the attempt to acquire the one and only local park by distorting history.”
The protestors shout slogans which read, ‘Chingmeirong gi lam machet amata mangba yaroi’, ‘Epa epu gi lamda singnarakpa sing Chingmeirong meeyam na thengnagani’, ‘Sanaroi singi sannabung mangba yaroi’ among others.
