GUWAHATI: In fresh violence in Manipur on Monday, a Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) jawan was injured, while at least two houses were burnt.
Following the violence, locals blocked the Imphal-Dimapur road (National Highway 2) in Senapati for a few hours. Unknown miscreants torched a house in Taphou Kuki village in Kangpokpi district in the wee hours. Soon after, another house was burnt in Taphou Naga village in Senapati district.
Shortly after 9 am, a gunfight erupted between two groups, during which the CRPF jawan was injured. He was admitted to a hospital and was stated to be out of danger.
Authorities heightened security in the areas following the incidents.
The Taphou Kuki village authority condemned the arson attack in the village, calling it “highly deplorable, inhuman, and unacceptable” and appealing to individuals and groups to refrain from violence, arson, destruction of property, and any actions that may further escalate tension and suffering among the people.
“We urge the district administration, police, and other competent authorities to take immediate and appropriate action to investigate the incident, identify those responsible, and ensure that justice is delivered in accordance with the law,” the Taphou Kuki village authority said in a statement.
Meanwhile, public transport services on the Imphal-Dimapur road continued for the third day on Monday. More than 250 passengers, including women and children, left Imphal for Dimapur and Guwahati in a fleet of five buses and seven Wingers under foolproof security.
A Manipur government statement said the departure of the vehicles was delayed due to the situation that arose in Senapati district earlier in the day.
“However, timely intervention by the government and public support prevented the situation from escalating further, and the vehicles left for Dimapur and Guwahati at around 1 pm. Both sides involved have agreed to maintain peace in the area,” the statement said.
Adequate security personnel and road-opening parties have been deployed along the vulnerable stretches of the highway to ensure the free and safe movement of the vehicles.
On the other hand, around 100 passengers, who started their journey from Guwahati on Sunday, reached Imphal on Monday afternoon. No untoward incidents were reported along the highway during their journey.