Imphal: A mob attempted to storm the private residence of Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh late Saturday as the law and order situation in capital Imphal took a turn for worse amid the escalating violence in Jiribam district over the week.
Acts of vandalism were reported from several areas in the valley throughout the day as the state government once again resorted to measures such as imposing curfew and suspending internet services to quell the protests.
On Saturday, mobs stormed residences of several members of the state legislative assembly in Imphal East and Imphal West districts, following the government’s failure to trace the family of six that went missing from a relief camp in Jiribam on 11 November.
The recovery of three bodies believed to be from the same family Friday evening has further stoked public anger. Victims included Meitei women and children who had been taking shelter at the relief camp before being allegedly taken away by armed Hmar men.
The situation continues to remain tense in Jiribam with reports emerging of several churches and houses belonging to the Hmar Mizo community being vandalised and burnt down by miscreants Saturday evening.
A mob of local protesters also surrounded Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh’s private residence at Luwangsangbam in Imphal East district late Saturday evening. Sources said the chief minister and his wife, however, were in the official bungalow during the time of the incident. State police personnel along with troops of Assam Rifles and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) managed to control the mob till reports last came in. This was the second attempt by a mob in the past year to attack the chief minister’s private residence.
Meanwhile, the residence of Manipur Health Minister Sapam Ranjan Singh was reportedly set ablaze by protesters. At Sagolband, the residence of local MLA R.K. Imo Singh was targeted as protestors set fire to structures in his courtyard. A few vehicles parked outside the residence of Patsoi MLA S. Kunjakeswor Singh at Sagolband Tera were also torched.
Protesters later assembled outside the residences of at least eight other elected representatives, namely Khetrigao MLA Sheikh Noorul Hassan, Keisamthong MLA S. Nishikant, Uripok MLA K. Raghumani Singh, Naoriya Pakhanglakpa MLA S. Kebi Devi, Langthabal MLA Karam Shyam, Wangoi MLA Khuraijam Loken Singh and Khurai MLA and state minister L. Susindro Meitei.
Sources in Imphal said BJP MLA S. Kebi Devi barely managed to flee from a mob.
To prevent further disruption of law and order, the state government has announced a total curfew in the districts of Imphal East, Imphal West, Bishnupur and Thoubal.
By way of orders passed by the chief secretary Saturday evening, internet services have also been suspended in at least seven districts, including the hill districts of Kangpokpi and Churachandpur, for two days.
Additional forces have been rushed to vulnerable locations even as police resorted to firing tear gas shells in Imphal to disperse the crowds.
Meanwhile, in a meeting held Friday, the Manipur Cabinet deliberated upon the central government’s decision to reimpose the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act in five districts of the state. It decided to recommend to the Centre to review and withdraw its declaration of ‘Disturbed Area’ status for locations failing under the jurisdiction of six police stations in the valley: Sekmai, Lamsang, Lamlai, Jiribam, Leimakhong and Moirang.
(Edited by Amrtansh Arora)
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What do we called murders, please called them as such? Specially baby killers should called as baby killers. Armed Hmar men! Give me a break. Murderers, Killers, Terrorists should be the name who attacked police station, attacked Jawans, killed children! Further, a section of the society celebrate them as heroes and maytrs. We including the journalists taking part in the white washing need serious introspection.