Imphal, May 22: Fresh incidents of violence has been reported from Manipur’s Imphal district on Monday.
According to police, some miscreants with arms went to the New Checkon area of Imphal East district and threatened the shop owners to close down their shop and torched two houses. After the incidents came into light, people of other communities came out and challenged them. Sources said the irate mob also beat up one of the miscreants while the other managed to escape.
Meanwhile, to control the situation, the district administrations have cut short the curfew relaxation period by three hours in Imphal East and Imphal West districts.
On Sunday, the Manipur government extended the suspension of internet services till May 26 following reports of arsons, attacks and to prevent spread of rumours videos, photos, and messages.
The Manipur government first suspended mobile internet on May 3 after the state witnessed unprecedented violent clashes in 10 of the 16 districts during and after the ‘Tribal Solidarity March’ called by the All Tribal Students’ Union of Manipur (ATSUM) to oppose the demand for inclusion of the Meitei community in the Scheduled Tribe category.
Talking to media persons on Monday, Manipur chief minister N. Biren Singh said peace is slowly being restored in the State but an incident of violence was reported in Imphal East district, wherein miscreants with double barrel guns threatened the vendors. Three persons bore minor injuries in the incident.
“Police have arrested the main culprit and seized the arms from their possession. We have come to know that the whole incident was conspired by an ex-MLA. Along with the ex-MLA, there are other persons were also picked by the police,” he added.
He appealed to the people to remain peaceful.