Manipur violence: Two vehicles torched in fresh turmoil, reports of intermittent gunfire exchange
Imphal, July 8: Manipur continues to burn as a group of around 200 persons set ablaze two vehicles near the Kangla Fort at Imphal in Manipur. As per reports, they also tried to snatch weapons from the police. This forced security forces to open fire at the crowd However, there were no reports of any casualties.
As per reports in news agency PTI, two columns of security personnel—one each of the Army and the Assam Rifles—moved to the general area of Songdo village on Friday evening to enforce the cessation of violence. The induction of additional BSF troops was, however, met with interference in the Bishnupur market area.
The sources further said another group of 200 persons gathered for likely violence during the evening at the palace compound here. The crowd was dispersed by troops from the Army and the Rapid Action Force by 12.30 am, as per news agency PTI. There are also reports of intermittent gunfire exchange near Yaingangpokpi in Imphal East district till midnight. The situation is being closely monitored.
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Notably, four persons, including a Manipur Police commando and a teenager, were killed in the ethnic clashes between two communities in the Kangvai area of Bishnupur district on the intervening night of Thursday and Friday.
More than 120 persons have lost their lives and over 3,000 injured since ethnic violence broke out on May 3. A ‘Tribal Solidarity March’ was organised in the hill districts to protest against the Meitei community’s demand for Scheduled Tribe status when the tension started.
At least 40,000 central security personnel, besides the Manipur Police, have been deployed to control the violence.
- With inputs from agencies
