Violence flares up in Manipur as mobs go on rampage; Assembly Speaker, 20 MLAs seek appointments with PM
Imphal: Amid simmering ethnic violence in Manipur, fresh flare-ups emerged since last night in conflict-hit Kwakta in the Bishnupur district and Kangvai in the Churachandpur district.
Automatic weapons were used to fire in Kwakta in Bishnupur district and Kangvai in Churachandpur district while an empty house was set on fire by miscreants in Langol, said police and army officials.
Several incidents of mob build-up were reported along with attempts of vandalism and arson.
Army, Assam Rifles, Rapid Action Force conducted flag marches in the in Imphal East district till midnight.
An incident of arson was reported at the Palace Compound near Advance Hospital. Last evening, a gathering of approximately 1,000 individuals engaged in an attempted act of arson and vandalism. The Rapid Action Force (RAF) used tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse the crowd, resulting in injuries to two civilians.
There was also a report of a mob gathering near Manipur University.
Around 200 to 300 people assembled near Thongju at 10:40 pm and made an attempt to vandalize the residence of the local Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA). The RAF intervened and dispersed the crowd, said the report.
In another incident, a mob made an attempt to vandalize the armoury of Iringbam Police Station in Imphal West district.
Approximately 300 to 400 people tried to ransack the police station at 11:40 pm. The RAF intervened and dispersed the crowd, the report added.
Army sources stated that a mob of 200 to 300 people surrounded the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) office in Sinjemai shortly after midnight, and an Army unit dispersed the crowd.
The mob also attempted to vandalize the residence of the state BJP president Adhikarimayum Sharda Devi in Imphal West around midnight.
However, the Army and RAF successfully prevented the vandalism, and the crowd was dispersed according to Army sources.
Fresh violence in Manipur came a day after the residence of Union Minister RK Ranjan Singh was set on fire by a mob of 1,200 people who hurled petrol bombs.
Meanwhile, the Speaker of the Manipur Legislative Assembly Thokchom Satyabrata Singh and over 20 other MLAs, mostly from BJP, have sought an appointment to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Satyabrata Singh told IBNS he has sought an appointment to meet Prime Minister Modi, but he is yet to receive confirmation from the PMO.
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