On the night of 15 February 2024, a crowd stormed the complex housing the Superintendent of Police (SP) and Deputy Commissioner (DC) offices in Churachandpur, Manipur, hours after Kuki-Zo head constable Siamlalpaul was suspended over a video showing him with armed men. Security forces fired and two people were killed, according to the Indigenous Tribal Leaders' Forum (ITLF) and the Chief Minister. Internet was cut for five days, magisterial inquiries were ordered, and the SP was transferred in April.
Key takeaways
- SP Shivanand Surve suspended head constable Siamlalpaul on 15 February 2024 over a viral video of him with "armed men" and "village volunteers", calling it "very grave misconduct".
- That night a crowd police put at 300 to 400 stormed the SP and DC complex; vehicles were torched and offices damaged. Security forces fired, and two people were killed, per the ITLF and the Chief Minister.
- The ITLF demanded the suspension be revoked and the SP and DC leave within 24 hours, then shut government offices for a day. The state ordered magisterial inquiries and warned staff of prosecution.
- The SP was transferred in April 2024. No public report was found of the suspension being revoked or of the inquiries' findings.
Background: Churachandpur in the Manipur conflict
Ethnic violence between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities began in May 2023, after a "Tribal Solidarity March" in the hill districts against the Meitei demand for Scheduled Tribe status. At least 260 people had been killed by early 2026, according to PTI Eastern Mirror/PTI.
Churachandpur is about 65 km from Imphal Sabrang India. It is a Kuki-dominated district, and the violence began there in May 2023 Deccan Herald. Kuki-Zo groups call it Lamka Deccan Herald. By early 2024, armed "village defence volunteers" on both sides guarded villages along the valley-hill boundary Sabrang India.
The week was already tense: on 13 February a mob looted arms from an India Reserve Battalion camp in Imphal East, and seven IRB personnel were suspended under the same Assam Police Manual rule later used against Siamlalpaul The Wire.
The suspension and its stated reason
On 15 February, SP Shivanand Surve placed head constable Siamlalpaul of the Churachandpur district police "under suspension with immediate effect until further orders". The order said a video of him with "armed men" and "sitting together with village volunteers" had gone viral National Herald/PTI.
This tantamount to very grave misconduct being a member of the disciplined police force.
Churachandpur police suspension order, 15 February 2024, as quoted by PTI
The order said "a departmental inquiry is being contemplated" because a clip showed him "making a video with armed men on February 14". He was told not to leave the station without permission, and his pay was cut to subsistence allowance National Herald/PTI. The Wire reported the order cited Rule 66, Part 3 of the Assam Police Manual The Wire.
Protesters said the men in the picture were "village volunteers" defending Kuki villages Deccan Herald. The Meitei body COCOMI said he was allegedly collaborating with armed men targeting a Meitei village Northeast Now. Claim · each side Neither account has been independently established.
The crowd and the attack on the offices
An eyewitness told PTI that trouble began in front of the SP office around 7.40 pm "soon after the suspension order by SP Sivanand Surve went viral in various social media groups" National Herald/PTI.
Mob numbering approx. 300-400 attempted to storm the office of SP CCP today, pelting stones, etc. The security forces (SF) including the Rapid Action Force (RAF) is responding appropriately by firing tear gas shells to control the situation. Things are under watch
Manipur Police on X, 15 February 2024, as quoted by ETV Bharat
According to an official quoted by PTI, the crowd entered the complex housing the SP and DC offices, burnt several buses and trucks used by security forces, and vandalised office rooms National Herald/PTI. Officials said the national flag at the SP office complex was pulled down Tribune/PTI. Northeast Now reported two vehicles carrying security personnel burnt and the DC office "badly damaged" Northeast Now.
How badly the buildings burned is reported differently. The Assam Tribune said the mob "burned down parts of the SP and DC offices" Assam Tribune, and a home department order of 18 February said the buildings were "set ablaze" Deccan Herald. Documented The Chief Minister said the damaged DC bungalow was being repaired Deccan Herald.
The firing, deaths and injuries
An official said security forces fired tear gas and used "minimum lethal force" and that "the situation is extremely volatile" National Herald/PTI. Casualty figures differed across reports:
- One dead, about 30 injured: eyewitnesses and locals quoted by PTI on the night and the next morning Tribune. The ITLF's first statement that night also said one person was shot dead The Wire.
- Two dead, at least 25 injured: the ITLF on 16 February, naming Thanggunlen Haokip, 15, and Letlalkhuol Gangte, 29 Deccan Herald. Chief Minister N Biren Singh also condoled "the deaths of two persons at Churachandpur" Deccan Herald. PTI later reported "at least two" killed and 30 injured National Herald/PTI.
- Two dead, more than 40 injured: the Assam Tribune Assam Tribune.
- Three dead, over 30 injured: Outlook Outlook and Northeast Now Northeast Now. No report of a third named victim was found.
Two is the figure given by both the ITLF and the Chief Minister.
Internet shutdown and restrictions
The state suspended mobile internet, data, VPN and dongle services in Churachandpur district for five days from 1.40 am on 16 February. The order cited fears that "anti-social elements" would use social media to spread "inflammatory material and false rumours" leading to "imminent danger" to life and property ETV Bharat; Outlook.
ETV Bharat reported prohibitory orders in the area, and forces held a flag march on 16 February Deccan Herald. No report of a formal curfew was found.
Timeline
Attack and firing
A crowd gathers at the SP office, enters the complex, torches vehicles. Security forces fire tear gas and live rounds PTI.
ITLF ultimatum
After an emergency meeting, the ITLF gives the SP and DC 24 hours to leave Northeast Now.
Offices shut, then call lifted
Government offices in Churachandpur and Pherzawl see thin attendance; the ITLF lifts the shutdown that evening Morung Express/IANS; Deccan Herald.
SP transferred
Surve is moved to the DGP's office as senior staff officer Deccan Herald/PTI.
The ITLF and Kuki-Zo groups' demands
The ITLF, an umbrella body of Kuki-Zo groups based in Churachandpur, held SP Surve and DC S Dharun Kumar "entirely responsible" and resolved after an emergency meeting on 16 February Northeast Now:
- to revoke Siamlalpaul's suspension immediately;
- for the SP and DC to leave the district within 24 hours, and be replaced by Union Territory cadre officers, "preferably from the Kuki-Zo community";
- for an inquiry into all security personnel involved in the firing, and punishment "as per the law";
- to pursue legal action over the dead and injured, whom it called "Kuki-Zo martyrs".
If the SP cannot act with fairness, we will not allow him to remain in any tribal areas.
ITLF statement, as quoted by PTI, 16 February 2024
When the deadline passed, the ITLF told state employees to stay away from work from 19 February, saying anyone seen in office "would be held accountable if something unfortunate were to happen to them" Morung Express/IANS.
On the evening of 19 February, ITLF chairman Pagin Haokip and secretary Muan Tombing lifted the office closure "in the interest of the general public". The ITLF then said the 15 February violence had happened without its knowledge and urged people to refrain from "aggressive behaviour" Deccan Herald.
Both accounts
Protesters' and ITLF's account
Protesters called the suspension "unfair" Tribune/PTI. The ITLF said the men were village volunteers, that Meitei police seen with armed Meitei groups went unpunished, and that the SP and DC were responsible for the deaths Deccan Herald. It also accused state police of joining attacks on Kuki-Zo villages, which police denied Sabrang India. Claim · ITLF
Police and government account
Police said a 300 to 400 strong crowd tried to storm the SP office throwing stones, and forces responded "appropriately" ETV Bharat. Government's position Biren Singh cited "the need for maintaining discipline", said police in other incidents had been suspended for failing to protect stations, and blamed a Churachandpur MLA for wrongly telling people no action was taken in similar cases The News Mill. He said threats to officials would not be tolerated and suggested a "hidden agenda", while saying government records were safe Deccan Herald.
Minister Govindas Konthoujam condemned a statement by BJP MLA Paolienlal Haokip of Churachandpur, accusing him of a "hate campaign" Tribune/PTI. The Meitei body COCOMI alleged the offices were burnt to destroy documents such as voter lists after the government announced plans to deport post-1961 migrants Deccan Herald. Claim · COCOMI No official finding supports it, and the Chief Minister said records were safe.
Outcome
- Inquiries: A home department order of 18 February asked DC Dharun Kumar to inquire into the arson and "the circumstances leading to the loss of lives and property". It said the buildings were set ablaze "to incite anti-establishment feelings" and the tricolour was "dishonoured" Deccan Herald. No published findings were found.
- FIR: Filed against one person for a social media post calling for the SP to be killed, per the Chief Minister Deccan Herald.
- Office shutdown: Chief Secretary Vineet Joshi ordered staff to attend, warning of prosecution and "no work, no pay" Morung Express/IANS.
- The SP: Transferred by an order dated 15 April 2024; Additional SP Shaikh Mohd Zaib Zakir took charge Deccan Herald/PTI.
- The suspension: As of 19 February 2024 it had not been revoked Deccan Herald. No later report of revocation or of the departmental inquiry's result was found.
Where things stand now
Biren Singh resigned on 9 February 2025 and President's Rule was imposed on 13 February 2025. It was revoked on 4 February 2026, when Y Khemchand Singh became Chief Minister Eastern Mirror/PTI. The findings of the magisterial inquiry, any action on the firing, and Siamlalpaul's service status have not been publicly reported.
Questions people ask
Why was head constable Siamlalpaul suspended?
SP Shivanand Surve suspended him on 15 February 2024 after a video of him with "armed men" and "village volunteers" went viral. The order called it "very grave misconduct" for a member of a disciplined force and said a departmental inquiry was being contemplated.
How many people died in the Churachandpur SP office violence?
The ITLF and Chief Minister N Biren Singh both said two people were killed. The ITLF named them as Thanggunlen Haokip, 15, and Letlalkhuol Gangte, 29. Early reports said one, and Outlook and Northeast Now reported three.
Sources
- National Herald/PTI: Mob barges into Churachandpur SP office complex, 1 protester killed, 16 Feb 2024
- Tribune: Fresh violence in Manipur leaves one protester dead, 15 Feb 2024
- Tribune/PTI: Situation tense, internet suspended after violence in Churachandpur, 16 Feb 2024
- Outlook: 3 dead, internet suspended after mob attacked SP office, 16 Feb 2024
- ETV Bharat: Mob attempts to storm SP office in Churachandpur, internet suspended, 16 Feb 2024
- The Wire: Fresh bout of public unrest, arrests and arson; internet suspended in Churachandpur, 16 Feb 2024
- Assam Tribune: Two dead, over 30 injured in Churachandpur mayhem, 16 Feb 2024
- Deccan Herald: Kuki group gives Churachandpur DC, SP 24 hours to leave, 16 Feb 2024
- Northeast Now: ITLF demands inquiry into firing incident in Churachandpur, 16 Feb 2024
- Northeast Now: Churachandpur violence an attempt to destroy evidence, claims COCOMI, 17 Feb 2024
- Sabrang India: Two killed and many injured after protest, 17 Feb 2024
- Deccan Herald: Magisterial probe ordered into Churachandpur violence, 17 Feb 2024
- The News Mill: Manipur CM orders probe, condemns attack on national flag, Feb 2024
- National Herald/PTI: Tribal body urges govt employees to refrain from going to office, 18 Feb 2024
- Deccan Herald: Kuki groups to close government offices opposing suspension of constable, 18 Feb 2024
- Morung Express/IANS: Govt offices witness thin presence after shutdown call, 19 Feb 2024
- Deccan Herald: Kuki group lifts diktat to extend shutdown, 19 Feb 2024
- Deccan Herald/PTI: Manipur govt transfers Churachandpur SP Shivanand Surve, 16 Apr 2024
- Eastern Mirror/PTI: President's rule revoked in Manipur ahead of government formation, 4 Feb 2026