Mob Steals Rifles, Bullets From Police Armoury In Fresh Incident Of Looting In Manipur

A crowd in Manipur looted arms and ammunition from the armoury of the 2nd India Reserve Battalion (IRB) in Bishnupur.

Manipur: Mob steals arms from police armoury.

Source : PTI

Amid ongoing tensions in Manipur, a mob comprising the majority community broke into a police armoury and stole weapons in a fresh incident of looting in the northeastern state, reported the news agency PTI citing officials. The mob took weapons including AK and 'Ghatak' series of assault rifles, and over 19,000 bullets of various calibres, the officials were quoted as saying by the agency. The incident occurred at the battalion headquarters of the 2nd India Reserve Battalion (IRB) in Bishnupur’s Naranseina, they added.  

The officials said that a crowd here gathered to march towards Churachandpur where tribals had planned to carry out a mass burial of their people who were killed in ethnic clashes that broke out in the state on May 3, as per PTI. 

"More than 19,000 rounds of bullets of different calibres, an AK series assault rifle, three 'Ghaatak' rifles, 195 self-loading rifles, five MP-5 guns, 16 9mm pistols, 25 bulletproof jackets, 21 carbines, 124 hand grenades among others were looted by the mob," officials said, as quoted by PTI. 

The mass burial programme had stirred fresh tensions in the violence-torn state with the majority community opposing the move. On Thursday, a clash erupted in Kangvai and Phougakchao areas in Bishnupur district. The Army and RAF fired tear gas shells injuring over 25 people as the security forces tried to stop a procession to the proposed burial site. 

PTI reported that the majority community also attempted to loot two other armouries but the bids were foiled. 

Notably, the Manipur High Court on Thursday stayed the proposed mass burial. Although, the Kuki community claimed that they had postponed the programme after discussions with the Union home ministry. 

Over 160 people died, and hundreds were injured after the ethnic clashes rocked the state 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. 

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