Manipur violence: Vehicles torched; schools, churches, houses set ablaze by protesting mob

Schools, houses, churches and public properties were set ablaze by protesting mobs in violence-hit Manipur. 

India Today's NorthEast team visited the affected areas in the state and witnessed the aftermath of the violence (Photo: India Today)

Afrida Hussain, India Today, Imphal, May 6, 2023:  The situation continues to remain tense as violent protests continue to rock Manipur : Manipur witnessed large-scale violence on Wednesday, May 3, in multiple pockets during an ongoing protest by tribals over a court order on Scheduled Tribe status. The situation continues to remain tense as violent protests continue to rock the northeastern state, prompting the government to snap mobile internet services and impose Section 144 in violence-affected areas.

Clashes broke out when the All Tribal Students' Union Manipur (ATSUM) organised a 'Tribal Solidarity March' in the Torbung area of Churachandpur district. They were protesting against the demand of non-tribal Meiteis – who dominate the Imphal Valley – for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status.

Multiple sources said the fighting between communities had left more than a score of people dead and several scores more injured. However, the police were unwilling to confirm this.

The clashes first erupted last week after a venue where Chief Minister N Biren Singh was scheduled to attend an event was attacked, leading to arson and further skirmishing over the next few days.

CHURCHES, SCHOOLS SET ABLAZE

India Today NorthEast team visited the affected areas in the state and witnessed the aftermath of the violence. Churches, schools, houses, vehicles, public properties were set ablaze by the violent protesters, following the ATSUM solidarity march on May 3, which sparked fresh tensions across the state of Manipur.

A ground report by India Today team revealed that a children's home, established in 1972, was also set on fire. "Protestors have burned down nearby churches and the fire has become uncontrollable, and our children's home, where 19 children were taking shelter, was also set on fire,"Pramodini, the secretary of the Children's Home, told India Today NE.

In the aftermath of the violence, 14 companies of paramilitary forces have deployed in the violence-hit state and the Centre has also dispatched additional security forces and anti-riot vehicles to maintain peace.

Around 1,000 more central paramilitary personnel with anti-riot vehicles reached Manipur on Friday, sources told PTI.

PROPERTY VANDALISED AS VIOLENCE SPIRALS

Our team also visited Langol, where hundreds of burnt down vehicles were lying by the roadside. Victims were being evacuated from Langol's affected area by the security forces.

A Defence spokesperson said a total of 13,000 people were rescued and shifted to safe shelters. People have also been shifted to army camps as the army brought Churachandpur, Moreh, Kakching and Kangpokpi districts under its “firm control”, PTI reported.

The aftermath of the violence can be seen in every corner of Imphal city, where vehicles were set on fire and flames could still be seen in some places.

The team also went to Haokip Veng in Imphal East, where they saw one kindergarten school, one church, and many houses burned down. Even commercial properties were destroyed by the enraged mob.

The Lodestar Public School in Khongveng, Imphal East, which was being used to store vehicles for safety, was also destroyed. Though the Army on Friday said the situation was under control, angry mobs are continuing protests in some areas.

SECURITY FORCES USE TEAR GAS SHELLS

Although the situation appears to be under control, mobs are continuing to protest in some areas. Our team witnessed this firsthand in Sangaiprou, where angry protesters took to the streets. Security personnel were forced to use tear gas in an effort to quell the unrest and restore order.

Urging people to maintain peace, Chief Minister N Biren Singh said, "Precious lives have been lost, besides damage of properties, which is very unfortunate", without giving any details of the number of dead or injured.

CRPF CoBRA COMMANDO KILLED

A CRPF CoBRA commando on leave was shot dead by armed assailants in his village in Manipur's Churachandpur district on Friday, officials told PTI. Constable Chonkholen Haokip of delta company of the 204th CoBRA battalion was killed around 2-3 pm.

Initially, the circumstances in which he was killed were not clear, but later, senior officials said it is understood that some assailants donning police-like fatigue entered his village and killed him.

In the wake of constable Chonkholen Haokip being killed, the CRPF on Friday directed its personnel hailing from Manipur and on leave in their home state to "immediately" report to their nearest security base with family members.