The Manipur police arrested eight more persons in connection with attacks over the residences of ministers, legislators and at a police station during fresh bout of violence in the state. A police station was attacked demanding the release of those arrested over November 16 violence.
According to police, A 20-year-old identified as Chongtham Thoicha, hailing from Kiyam Mamang Leikai in Patsoi police station area in Imphal West district, was arrested on Thursday in connection with arson at the properties of elected representatives on November 16.
“Seven people were arrested on Thursday for attacking Kakching police station and its personnel on November 27. The attack was carried out to demand the release of four persons arrested on November 16 for vandalising properties of an elected member," police said in a statement.
A violent mob irate over the death of six hostages including women and children belonging to the Meitei community from Jiribam ransacked residences of legislators and ministers on November 16. Three bodies of hostages were recovered from the Barak river in Jiribam. Kuki militants abducted the civilians allegedly following a gunfight with security forces in Jiribam district on November 11. Ten insurgents also got killed in the exchange of fire.
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Over 200 people were killed and thousands rendered homeless in ethnic violence between Meiteis and Kukis since May last year in Manipur.
In fresh violence earlier this month, the protesters torched the houses of PWD Minister Govindas Konthoujam at Ningthoukhong, Hiyanglam's BJP MLA Y. Radheshyam at Langmeidong Bazar, Wangjing Tentha's BJP MLA Paonam Brojen in Thoubal district and Khundrakpam's Congress MLA Thokchom Lokeshwar in Imphal East district, PTI reported. Though the mob attempted to attack the ancestral residence of Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh, security forces stopped them.
