Manipur Violence: Clash Breaks Out Between Security Forces And Mob In Imphal, Houses Set On Fire
The incident took place just a day after a clash broke out between unidentified miscreants and villagers that killed nine people and injured several others in the Khamenlok area.
New Delhi: At least two houses were set on fire by a mob in Imphal as the army and Assam Rifles stepped up their “area domination” operations in the wake of rise in violence in crisis-hit Manipur. Security forces had to resort to tear gas shells at the agitating mob at New Checkon in Imphal, news agency PTI reported. This comes just a day after a clash broke out between unidentified miscreants and villagers that killed nine people and injured several others in the Khamenlok area.
An Army tweet said, “Enhanced Area Domination Operations by Army and Assam Rifles are being undertaken in the aftermath of the recent spurt in violence”.
The social media post by Spear Corps of the Indian Army said the “domination of fringe areas and higher reaches underway by long duration self-contained columns” was being enforced.
Notably, the security forces have intensified their efforts in the aftermath of an attack on a Kuki village in the Khamenlok area bordering Imphal East and Kangpoki districts in the early hours of Wednesday.
Later that evening, other miscreants set on fire the official quarters of woman Manipur minister Nemcha Kipgen in the Lamphel area in Imphal West district. Firefighters were rushed to the spot and the flames were doused before the blaze could spread to the neighbourhood.
Notably, clashes first broke out on May 3 after a 'Tribal Solidarity March' was organised in the hill districts to protest against the Meitei community's demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status.
As per reports, over 100 people have been killed in the ethnic violence between Meitei and Kuki community people in Manipur. The state has imposed a curfew on 11 districts and banned the internet in a bid to stop the spread of rumours in the state.
Meiteis account for about 53 per cent of Manipur's population and live mostly in the Imphal Valley. Tribals - Nagas and Kukis - constitute another 40 per cent of the population and reside in the hill districts.
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