On Thursday night, a new wave of violence erupted in Churachandpur, Manipur, as a crowd forcefully entered the government complex housing the SP and DC offices. They set vehicles ablaze and vandalized government property. This incident occurred shortly after a head constable from the district police was suspended. The suspension came in response to an alleged video where the constable was purportedly seen with armed individuals.

The protestors, numbering in the hundreds, set fire to numerous buses and trucks used by security forces. They forcibly entered office rooms and engaged in the vandalism of government property, according to an official.

Security forces fired several rounds of tear gas shells and used "minimum lethal force" to disperse the agitators and are currently working to bring the situation under control, he said, adding, "the situation is extremely volatile."

According to eyewitnesses, one person died, and up to 30 individuals sustained injuries during the clash.

"Trouble started in front of the Churachandpur SP office around 7.40 pm soon after the suspension order by SP Sivanand Surve went viral in various social media groups," the eyewitness said.

Taking to X, Manipur Police said, "A mob numbering approximately 300-400 attempted to storm the office of SP CCP today, pelting stone."

"The SF (security forces) including RAF is responding appropriately by firing tear gas shells to control the situation. Things are under watch," the police added.

Churachandpur SP Shivanand Surve suspended Head Constable Siamlalpaul "with immediate effect until further notice" following the circulation of a viral video on social media. In the video, Siamlalpaul is seen alongside "armed individuals" and "sitting with village volunteers."

"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 order said.

Additionally, Siamlalpaul has also been told not to leave the station without authorization, and his pay and allowances have been limited to the amount that the regulations allow for subsistence.

Meanwhile, the Indigenous Tribal Leaders’ Forum (ITLF) has held SP Shivanand Surve responsible for the incident.

"If the SP cannot act with fairness, we will not allow him to remain in any tribal areas. He should immediately revoke the suspension of the policeman and leave the district within 24 hours. Otherwise, Mr. Surve will bear sole responsibility for any future incident," the forum said in a statement.

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