Concerns Mount as Mob Violence Escalates in Manipur, Targeting Minister’s House
16-06-2023 : A violent mob targeted the residence of Union Minister R K Ranjan in Imphal, Manipur. Over a thousand members of the mob threw petrol bombs at the minister’s home in Kongba, Imphal East district. Security personnel were there, but the attackers still succeeded in setting the house on fire.
Fortunately, no one was hurt because the minister and his family were not there when the incident occurred. The minister, who was on an official trip in Kerala, expressed relief that no one had been hurt. However, the attack with the petrol bomb caused serious damage to the first and second floors of his house.
Expressing his concern, the minister pledged to continue advocating for peace in his home state. He lamented the ongoing violence and condemned the perpetrators, describing their actions as inhuman. Meanwhile, a curfew was already in place in Imphal, yet the mob was able to reach the minister’s residence.
Security personnel stationed at the minister’s house reported that the petrol bombs were thrown from multiple directions during the attack. Despite the presence of nine security escort personnel, five security guards, and eight additional guards, they were unable to control the situation due to the overwhelming size and aggression of the mob.
This was not the first attack on the minister’s house. On May 26, another mob had stormed his residence, prompting the intervention of Imphal East Police. During that incident, the police had to resort to tear gas shelling and firing blank rounds to disperse the crowd.
This incident was part of a series of fresh violence in the strife-torn state. Additional incidents of arson were reported, including the setting of two abandoned houses on fire. In another attack in the Khamenlok area, nine people were killed, and ten others sustained injuries. However, no casualties were reported in the attack on the minister’s house.
The escalation of violence in Manipur can be traced back to a previous incident in a Kuki village in the Khamenlok area. Following an attack on the village, the army and Assam Rifles had intensified area domination operations. Security forces encountered resistance as they attempted to quell the mob, leading to the use of force and tear gas shells.
In addition to attacking the minister’s home, the vandals also set fire to Manipur minister Nemcha Kipgen’s official mansion in the Lamphel neighborhood of the Imphal West district. The fires were put out by firefighters before they could spread to other neighborhoods.
The recent violent episodes have sparked worries about the current state of affairs in Manipur and the requirement for increased security measures to safeguard prominent figures and uphold law and order in the area. The state is trying to regain peace and stability, but there are still many obstacles to overcome.
