Violence continues in Manipur, Union Minister RK Ranjan Singh’s house in Imphal set on fire by mob
Violence continues in the northeastern state of Manipur (representational photo)
Imphal: In the latest incident of violence in the northeastern state of Manipur, a Union minister’s house was attacked by a mob last night. The mob set fire to the house of RK Ranjan Singh. Officials said that Union Minister RK Ranjan Singh was not at home at the time of the incident. At least two vacant houses were set ablaze by a mob in ethnic conflict-hit Manipur on Thursday. The officers provided this information. He said that the security forces used force to disperse the crowd at New Chacon in Imphal and fired tear gas shells at the crowd.
Speaking to news agency ANI, RK Ranjan Singh said, “I am currently in Kerala for official work. Thankfully no one was injured at my Imphal home last night. The ground floor and the first floor have been damaged.”
Appealing for peace in the northeastern state, he said, “It is very sad to see what is happening in my home state. I will still continue to appeal for peace. Those who perpetrate such violence are absolutely inhuman.”
The incident took place at a time when the army and Assam Rifles personnel have intensified their operations following the escalation of violence in the state. Troops of the army have increased patrolling and wherever barricades were put up, they have been removed.
The Army said in a tweet that following the recent increase in violence, the operations of the Army and the Assam Rifles are being stepped up. A day earlier, nine people were killed and 10 were injured in an attack by miscreants in a village in Khamenlok area of the state. Security forces have again intensified their operation after the attack in a Kuki village in Khamenlok area in the early hours of Wednesday.
More than 100 people have lost their lives and more than 300 have been injured in ethnic violence between Meitei and Kuki communities in Manipur a month ago. Hundreds of people are still forced to live in relief camps. Army and paramilitary personnel have been deployed to restore peace in the state. Curfew is in force in 11 districts of Manipur, while internet services remain suspended.
Violent clashes broke out in several parts of Manipur after a ‘Tribal Solidarity March’ was organized in the hill districts on May 3 to protest against the Meitei community’s demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status.
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