The situation in Manipur was tightened yet composed with no reported fatalities in the torching incident.
On Monday, violent incidents were reported in Manipur, a northeastern state where at least 70 people have been killed in ethnic conflicts since May 3. Businesses remained closed on Tuesday morning, and people were asked to stay indoors over the public address system security officers in the New Chekon region of the Imphal East district, where a mob burned two houses, involving a former MLA and compelled people to shut down their shops on Monday.
According to the police, there were locals armed with licensed firearms, guarding their area against potential attacks by building makeshift “bunkers” in a few locations like Pukhao and Leitanpokpi in the Imphal East District. Five “bunkers” were demolished by security personnel in Sinam Khaithong village in Imphal West on Monday.
Sit-in protests, especially by women have been reported in the valley districts. The protestors have demanded the Suspension of Operation (SoO) with Kuki extremists should be lifted and action should be taken against them. They also want unlawful Myanmarese immigrants to be deported, and poppy cultivation to cease and also protested the hill MLAs’ demand for state separation.
People living near the hills have reported Kuki militants coming down to the valley and firing upon people before escaping. At least three individuals were injured in one such current incident in Moidangpok village in Imphal West district.
The curfew relaxation time has been reduced by two hours, with the restriction now in effect from 5 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Chief Minister N Biren Sing requested the people to stop igniting houses of innocent people. He said that three people involving a former MLA were imprisoned in the New Chekon event. The mob had assaulted one of the armed men, while the rest of the three had managed to run away from the spot.
The CM said, “We will initiate legal action against those involved in illegal activities… We have also decided to acquire 20 more companies of security personnel from the central forces.”
Internet services have been suspended since the outbreak of violence in order to prevent the spread of rumours and hate messages. However, it is claimed that members of the feuding Meitei and Kuki communities living outside the state are propagating hatred through their social media posts.
