Conflict-torn Manipur witnessed fresh incidents of violence as mobs clashed with security forces in Imphal, amid reports of automatic gunfire in Bishnupur and Churachandpur districts through Friday night. Officials stated that two civilians were killed in clashes.
Army, Assam Rifles and Manipur Rapid Action Force (RAF) held joint marches till midnight through the state capital to halt rioters from congregating. Multiple attempts were made to vandalise the homes of BJP leaders, and loot police armory. An attempt was made to loot weapons from Iringbam police station in Imphal West. However, no weapons were stolen, PTI reported. A mob clashed with RAF personnel on Friday evening after it had set a warehouse afire.
A mob of approximately 1,000 people tried to burn down buildings near the palace compound. RAF fired tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse the crowd. According to reports, a mob of 200 to 300 people surrounded the BJP office a little after midnight at Sinjemai, and an Army column dispersed the crowd.
A mob also tried the set the house of BLP MLA Biswajeet on fire, but the crowd was dispersed by the RAF. The security forces also managed to thwart an attempt to vandalise the home of Sharda Devi, BJP (women's wing) president near Porampet in Imphal around midnight
Earlier on Thursday night, a house belonging to Union Minister RK Ranjan Singh was attacked and attempts were made to burn it down. Security guards and firefighters managed to control arson attempts by the mob and save the house of the minister. The minister, who was in Kochito attend a party event cancelled all programmes in Kerala to return home.
More than 100 people have lost their lives in the ethnic violence between Meitei and Kuki community people in Manipur that broke out a month ago.Â
-with PTI inputs
