Manipur marred by fresh violence after mob torches 70 houses, police outposts; curfew imposed in Jiribam

IMPHAL: After a few days of inertness, tensions escalated back in the hilly terrains of Manipur on Sunday. The conflict is most acute in the Jiribam region, which borders Assam. It is reported that about 75 houses and some institutions were set on fire by the rioters. As of now, 250 people have been shifted to camps.

Some families have already left behind their houses and fled the riot-hit regions of the state. People are demanding central intervention to end the conflict. Designated Congress MP Bimol Akoijam appealed to the people to exercise restraint.

Fresh violence erupted on Thursday as a Kuki man was found stabbed to death using a sharp object. As a form of retaliation, unknown assailants torched a police outpost and several houses in Jiribam district yesterday morning. The rioters who arrived in four boats through the Barak River unleashed violence.

Lamtai Khunou, Dibong Khunou, Nungkao and Begra villages were the worst affected. The Jiribam police outpost located in the Chotobegra area on the banks of the river was set on fire. Multiple attacks took place in Lamtai Khunou, Modhupur area, 220 km from Imphal. About 70 houses were burnt. Security has been beefed up in the area. Meanwhile, footage of the attack also surfaced. The Jiribam district administration has imposed an indefinite curfew in the district.

It is reported that more than two hundred people have been killed and more than 50,000 people have fled in the conflict that has been going on for almost a year in Manipur.