Three including former BJP MLA arrested in Manipur violence, two houses set on fire in latest violence

Violence flared up again in Manipur’s Imphal East district on Monday after two armed miscreants forced people to close their shops. Furious mob set fire to two houses. However, no casualty has been reported in this incident of arson. Police officials have given this information.

The mob also thrashed one of the miscreants, while the other managed to escape. Both have been taken into custody.
Army personnel deployed in the area rushed to the spot and used force to disperse the crowd and fired tear gas shells, causing minor injuries to some people.

Locals protested the incident by burning tires on the road. Curfew, which was earlier relaxed in Imphal East district, was tightened again today following the incident. Internet service is already suspended in the area.

Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh has confirmed the developments and asserted that action has been taken against those involved. Three people, including a former BJP MLA, were detained on Monday for their alleged involvement in the violence. The former MLA has been identified as T Thangjalam Haokip of Henglep constituency in Churachandpur district. He has won this seat in 2017 as a BJP candidate. T Thangajalam left the BJP in 2020.

Singh said, “On Sunday night, three persons received minor injuries in an incident in Imphal West district. The police have arrested those criminals. Double barrel guns have been recovered from them.” Singh said the involvement of a former MLA in the conspiracy was extremely unfortunate. Two armed men with a single barrel gun threatened the vendors and asked them to vacate the area. Has been taken into custody along with the former MLA.

Singh said the situation in Manipur has been by and large peaceful in the last 10 days. He appealed to the people of the state to remain calm and help restore peace and normalcy soon.

Let us tell you that Manipur has been facing ethnic conflicts for more than a month due to many issues. Earlier this month, clashes broke out in the hill state after tribals took out a solidarity march on May 3 to protest their demand for Scheduled Tribe status. More than 70 people had died in the violence that lasted for more than a week. Government property worth crores was set ablaze by the miscreants in the violence-affected areas. Thousands of people were forced to leave their homes because of the violence.