Imphal: A day after an angry mob stormed the private residence of Chief Minister N Biren Singh in Imphal, the Manipur Police arrested 23 individuals allegedly involved in ransacking and setting fire to houses of MLAs.
Large-scale violence broke out in parts of Imphal Valley on Saturday as irate mob attacked the residences of several MLAs and destroyed property reportedly over the killing of six people, whose bodies were found in Jiribam after they were kidnapped allegedly by militants.
The bodies, identified as those of a woman and two children, were found floating in the Barak River near Jirimukh along the Manipur-Assam border on Friday night.
Three women and three children who lived in a relief camp have been missing since a gunfight between security forces and militants in Jiribam district on Monday, with Metei organizations alleging that the retreating militants kidnaped them.
On 16.11.2024, irate mobs have targeted various houses and properties of public representatives including Ministers and MLAs of the State in Imphal. Police have resorted to firing tear gas shells etc. to disperse the mob. Security forces including Army and Assam Rifles have been…
— Manipur Police (@manipur_police) November 17, 2024
Taking to Twitter, Manipur police said, “On 16.11.2024, irate mobs have targeted various houses and properties of public representatives including Ministers and MLAs of the State in Imphal. Police have resorted to firing tear gas shells etc. to disperse the mob. Security forces including Army and Assam Rifles have been deployed in Imphal to strengthen the security in the town area. Flag marches have been conducted. 08 (eight) persons have been injured in the process of mob dispersal.”
It further said, “Further, 23 persons who were part of the mob indulging in ransacking and arson of the houses above have been arrested from Imphal East, Imphal West and Bishnupur Districts and recovered 01 (one) .32 pistol, 07 rounds of SBBL, 08 nos. of mobile phones from their possession.”
Given the violent protests, a total curfew was imposed in Imphal West and Imphal East towns, and internet services were cut in parts of the state.
“Total curfew has been immediately clamped in the town until further orders. Internet and mobile data services have been suspended for 02 days immediately. SsP/ COs have been deployed on the ground to manage the law-and-order situation,” the Manipur Police said.
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The ministers whose residences were attacked by protesters include Health Minister Sapam Ranjan, Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution Minister L Susindro Singh, Municipal Administration and Housing Development Minister Y Khemchand, and BJP MLA RK Imo, the son-in-law of Chief Minister N Biren Singh.
