Manipur tense; curfew remains clamped in 7 districts amid sporadic violence; 23 arrested so far
GUWAHATI, Nov 17: The situation in Manipur continues to be tense following the unprecedented violence yesterday when angry mobs vandalised and set ablaze houses and properties of MLAs and ministers in protest against the spine-chilling killing of six Meitei people – three women and three minors.
Curfew was clamped in seven districts yesterday evening as protesters resorted to large-scale violence and arson after the bodies of the six people were recovered.
Among the residences attacked were those of several Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders, including Chief Minister N Biren Singh’s son-in-law Rajkumar Imo Singh.
A mob also attempted to storm the Chief Minister’s private residence in Heingang with security forces fired tear gas and blank fire to disperse the crowd.
Violence spread in Jiribam as properties belonging to the Hmar community, including homes and a church, were torched by mobs, reports said.
Meanwhile, 23 people who were part of the mob indulging in ransacking and arson of houses have been arrested from Imphal East, Imphal West and Bishnupur districts, Manipur Police said.
Internet services were suspended in seven districts of the State, including the Meitei-majority Imphal East and West and the Kuki-Zo-dominated Kangpokpi and Churachandpur districts, following the violence.
