Manipur Violence: An angry mob protesting the death of three people in Manipur's Jiribam tried to storm the private residence of Chief Minister N Biren Singh in Imphal on Saturday. Security personnel used tear gas shells to disperse the crowd. CM Singh was not at his residence during the incident, PTI reported.
The crowd also attacked the residence of Singh's son-in-law and BJP MLA Rajkumar Imo Singh. They gathered in front of the residence of his house and raised slogans demanding an appropriate response from the government and to arrest the culprits within 24 hours. The violence broke out after the bodies of two women and a child, who had been missing since Monday from a camp for the displaced, were recovered from Barak River in Jiribam on Saturday. Three other bodies, including a woman and two children, were found on Friday.
Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi termed the recent string of violent clashes and continuing bloodshed in Manipur "deeply disturbing". He urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to visit the state and work towards restoring peace in the region. "After more than a year of division and suffering, it was the hope of every Indian that the Central and state governments would make every effort at reconciliation and find a solution," Rahul said. He added, "I urge the PM once again to visit Manipur and work towards restoring peace and healing in the region."
The Manipur government has requested the Centre to review and withdraw AFSPA from areas falling under the jurisdiction of six police stations in the state, an official said on Saturday. The Union Home Ministry has reimposed the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act in Manipur's six police station areas, including the violence-hit Jiribam.
Tear gas shells were fired to disperse protesters who were attempting to march towards several buildings, including Raj Bhavan, and the Chief Minister’s Secretariat, the police said. Chief Secretary Vineet Joshi ordered a temporary suspension of internet and mobile data services in the "territorial jurisdiction of currently affected districts of Imphal West, Imphal East, Bishnupur, Thoubal, Kakching, Kangpokpi and Churachandpur for two days with effect from 5.15 pm on Saturday.
Ministers whose residences were stormed by the protesters are Sapam Ranjan, L Susindro Singh and Y Khemchand. The miscreants also set fire to at least two churches and three houses in Jiribam town. "There have been reports of further arson and the burning of additional structures by miscreants, but these claims have not yet been independently verified," officials told PTI.
Mizoram's apex student body Mizo Zirlai Pawl (MZP) urged the Centre to take steps for the safety and security of Mizo students in Manipur. Mizo Zirlai Pawl expressed concern about the security of Mizo students in the violence-hit Manipur. The organisation also urged the Lalduhoma government to take steps for the safety and security of the Meitei people living in Mizoram and also appealed to the Manipuris to take care of themselves.