Manipur: Fresh Violence in Imphal, Curfew Tightened

IMPHAL: The situation in Manipur is far from normal as fresh rounds of violence in the capital city led to the deployment of armed personnel in the area. A group of unknown miscreants set fire to several abandoned houses in the capital city on Monday. Visuals of houses on fire in the New Lambulane locality of the city triggered panic among the people of the state.

Soon after the incident, Indian Army personnel deployed in the city rushed to the location of the arson and dispersed the crowds. They also had to resort to tear gas shells to clear the mob and prevent any further damage. As a result of the incident, a few people sustained minor injuries but no casualties were reported. Some people protested the action taken by the forces and burned tyres on the road.

A statement was also issued by the Indian Army regarding this incident. It said, “Three Army/ Assam Rifles columns were launched in response to input of four armed suspects threatening the shopkeepers at New Chekon area and then subsequently moving to New Lambulane area of Imphal East district. The area was quickly cordoned off by the joint team of the Army, Assam Rifles, police and Rapid Action Force (RAF). Swift action resulted in immediate control of crowd which gathered and consequently, three suspects along with two single barrel 12 bore guns were apprehended and handed over to the police."

Following the incident, the curfew hours were tightened again in the Imphal East district of the state. Curfew was gradually being relaxed in the state as the incidents of violence gradually declined after the deployment of the Indian Army in the state.

The Kuki Students’ Organisation unit in Delhi however claimed that the ICI Church in Imphal's Chassad Avenue was ‘targeted and burnt down by Meitei mobs'.

Also Read: Manipur: Fresh Clash Erupts, Curfew Reinstated as Houses Set On Fire in Checkon

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