Imphal: Two civilians were injured in clashes between security forces and rioters in Manipur on Friday night and there were incidents of attempts to set fire to the houses of BJP leaders, officials said today (June 17). Tensions have increased as violent gangs continue to target politicians in these riots.
There has been a conflict between the Maithei community and the Kuki community over the reservation issue in Manipur state. The violence and unrest has been going on for more than a month since last May 3. More than 100 people have died so far. For the first time, the Kuki tribe held a peaceful rally on May 3 last year to protest the inclusion of the Maithei community, which constitutes 53 percent of the state’s population, under the Scheduled Tribe category. There was a conflict between the two factions. Later it turned violent and spread across the state, burning about Manipur.
Army and paramilitary forces have been deployed in security operations to maintain peace in the state of Manipur. Curfew has been enforced in 11 districts. Internet services have been temporarily suspended across the state of Manipur. Despite this, clashes between rioters and security forces are ongoing in the state.
In various incidents of these ethnic clashes in the North-Eastern state, houses of ministers, people’s representatives and politicians have been attacked and set on fire by unidentified gangs.
RK Ranjan Singh: Violent people set fire to the residence of Minister of State for External Affairs and Education Rajkumar Ranjan Singh in Manipur’s capital Imphal on Thursday night. A few days before this, on May 23, some violent people entered Ranjan Singh’s house. Security forces managed to drive them away. In this incident, vehicles parked outside the house were set on fire. Fortunately no one was injured.
Nemsa Kipgen: Manipur government minister Nemsa Kipjen is another politician under attack. NEMSA’s official residence in Imphal was torched by unidentified assailants on Thursday. He was not at home at the time of the incident.
Nemsa, the only woman minister in the Manipur cabinet, belongs to the Kuki tribe. He was one of the 10 Kuki ministers who demanded separate administration for the Kuki-Zomi-Sin-Hmar ethnic groups.
Govindas Kondaujam (Govindas Konthoujam): Manipur’s Minister of Public Works, Sports and Youth Welfare, Govindas Kondathaujan’s house in Imphal was attacked by miscreants on May 24. A senior BJP leader in the state, the minister was out with his family when his house was attacked by a 100-strong mob.
The next day another state minister D. Biswajit Singh’s Imphal house was attacked by a violent mob.
Wungjakin Walde (Vungzagin Valte): Thanlon constituency BJP MLA Vungjakin Valde was attacked by a violent mob while returning home after attending a high-level meeting presided over by state Chief Minister Bren Singh. The MLA was seriously injured in the attack. He is currently undergoing treatment in Delhi.