On Friday evening, Imphal witnessed yet another incidence of violent fighting between a riotous throng and Manipur’s Rapid Action Force after the latter set fire to a warehouse. Police used tear gas shells to disperse the mob, believing it would attack nearby properties.
According to Manipur officials, the fighting erupted near the Imphal palace grounds.
Firefighters and security officials hurried to the scene, bringing the warehouse fire under control and preventing it from spreading to surrounding houses.
The land belonged to a retired senior IAS officer from the tribal community.
On June 14, nine persons were killed and more than ten were injured in Imphal East. The state administration has prolonged the internet ban in the state until June 20th.
Unidentified individuals set fire to the official mansion of women Manipur minister Nemcha Kipgen, which is located in the Lamphel area of Imphal West district, on June 14. In a separate incident, around 1 a.m., armed thugs encircled the Kuki village in the Khamenlok area, which borders the Imphal East and Kangpoki districts.
The assailants and the locals engaged in a gun battle after they started an attack on the settlement. According to officials, both sides suffered casualties and injuries during the clash.
Earlier last night, a crowd vandalised Union Minister of State for External Affairs R K Ranjan Singh’s house in Imphal town and attempted to burn it down, according to officials.
This comes following the burning of two houses and fights between the Rapid Action Force of Manipur and a mob on Thursday afternoon in the heart of Imphal metropolis. The mob that roamed the area late Thursday battled with security forces as well, officials said.
In response to the happenings, RK Ranjan Singh told PTI, “I have been trying to restore peace and stop violence since May 3 (when ethnic conflicts in the state erupted)…. This is all the result of a misunderstanding between two communities. The government has formed a peace committee, and the process has begun. Civil society leaders have gathered.”
