Manipur: Angry mobs attempt to torch homes of BJP leaders
At least two people were reportedly injured in Manipur's Imphal after rubber bullets and tear gas were fired by the Rapid Action Force (RAF) at a mob of 1,000 after clashes broke out in the Palace Compound area on Friday night. Furthermore, security forces also reportedly thwarted attempts by angry mobs to torch the homes of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders.
Why does this story matter?
This development comes just a day after Union Minister of State for External Affairs RK Ranjan Singh's home was stormed and set on fire by an angry mob for the second time in Imphal's Kongba. Manipur has been in turmoil since May 3 after riots erupted between the Meiteis and tribal communities over the demand for the Scheduled Tribe (ST) status by the former.
Multiple reports of violence across Imphal
Numerous incidents of attempted violence and mob build-ups were also reported across Imphal on Friday night. According to the news outlet The Hindu, mobs had also gathered in an attempt to vandalize Manipur BJP President A Sharda Devi's residence in Porompat. Moreover, an Indian Army column managed to disperse another mob that attempted to storm the saffron brigade's office in Singjamei.
Attempts made to rob weapons from Iringbam Police Station: Report
In two separate incidents, automatic gunfire was reported in Churachandpur district's Kangvai and from Kwakta in the Bishnupur district late on Friday. Furthermore, an attempt was allegedly made to rob weapons from the Iringbam Police Station in Imphal West, which was unsuccessful. Throughout the night, joint columns of the Assam Rifles, RAF, Army, and the state police conducted flag marches in Imphal East.
Visuals from Imphal's Paite Veng
Know about Thursday attack on Singh's residence
On Friday, NDTV reported that a mob set Union minister Singh's house on fire in Kongba on Thursday night. Despite a curfew in the area, the mob managed to reach Singh's home and outnumbered the security personnel deployed at the BJP leader's house for security. Five security guards, eight additional guards, and nine security escort personnel were reportedly on duty during the attack.
Mob reportedly threw petrol bombs from all directions
Speaking to The New Indian Express about the attack on Singh's resident, Escort Commander L Dineshwor Singh stated, "We couldn't prevent the incident as the mob was overwhelming, and we couldn't control the situation." "They threw petrol bombs coming in from all directions. From the bye lane behind the building and from the front entrance. So we simply couldn't control the mob," he added.
Over 100 dead in Manipur violence
As per the news agency PTI, more than 100 individuals have lost their lives in the northeastern state in the ongoing violence that broke out over a month ago. On the other hand, the state government has imposed a curfew in 11 districts and banned internet services to try and stop the spread of fake reports across the violence-struck state.
