IMPHAL: Manipur reels under a fresh wave of violence as reports emerge of a grenade attack targeting the residence of the president of the Federation of Civil Society Organisations (FOCS), and the ransacking of the Indigenous Tribal Leaders’ Forum (ITLF) office in Churachandpur.
According to reports, at around 9 pm on March 17, a hand grenade was hurled at FOCS president Thoidingjam Manihar residence located in Kongba Kshetri Leikai, Ucheckon Road.
Swift action by officers from Irilbung and Imphal East police stations averted a potential catastrophe as they safely retrieved the explosive device from Manihar’s courtyard.
The timely intervention also helped pacify local residents, who had gathered in protest against the threat posed by the grenade.
In response to the heinous attack, an FIR has been lodged at the Irilbung police station, marking the commencement of a thorough investigation into the incident.
The FOCS has vehemently condemned the assault on its president’s residence, denouncing it as a blatant attempt to instil fear and disrupt peace in the region.
Addressing the press in Kakwa Boiroi Makhong, FOCS vice president BM Yaima Shah expressed solidarity with Manihar and underscored his pivotal role in navigating the turbulent waters of violence that have plagued Manipur in recent times.
Shah highlighted that the attack on Manihar’s residence symbolises the broader threat confronting the citizens of Manipur, calling for unity and resilience in the face of adversity.
Furthermore, Shah issued a fervent appeal to the perpetrators, urging them to clarify their motives behind the cowardly attack and stressing the imperative of accountability and justice.
In a parallel incident, the Indigenous Tribal Leaders’ Forum (ITLF) office in Churachandpur became the target of yet another act of aggression late on Sunday.
Reportedly miscreants vandalised the office, leaving behind a trail of destruction that included documents, computers, and furniture.
Emerging reports in the local press suggest that the attack may have stemmed from internal conflicts between the Paitei and Zomi communities, further exacerbating tensions in the region. More details about the ransacking incidents are awaited.
