Mob violence no solution, says CM, as Manipur sees fresh incident of arson

Following the Monday morning flare-up, Chief Minister N Biren Singh appealed to the public to restrain from any form of violence, and to work towards building peace. “Mob violence will not bring any solution. I appeal to the public to remain calm. Our government is doing whatever it can to bring normalcy. Have faith in the government,” he said, adding that 20 companies of additional security forces are being requisitioned for the state.

He urged the public not to venture out at night, citing standing orders to shoot at sight.

#WATCH | Abandoned houses set ablaze by miscreants in New Lambulane area in Imphal in Manipur. Security personnel on the spot. pic.twitter.com/zENI5nuMyM

— ANI (@ANI) May 22, 2023

According to officials, around 10.30 am on Monday, some miscreants tried to force vendors at New Checkon Bazaar area in Imphal East district to shut shop. This escalated into clashes, prompting security forces to rush to the spot and arrest three persons.

The area is home to both Meiteis, the majority in the state as well as in Imphal, and Kukis.

Even as the Army, RAF and state police rushed to the area to control the situation, an incident of arson was reported around 2 pm. According to officials, the homes that were set ablaze are located inside a church compound at Chasad Avenue, close to New Checkon bazar.

Manipur security advisor Kuldiep Singh said one of the men arrested for allegedly intimidating the shopkeepers is a former MLA. Police have also recovered two arms from the accused.

“The situation was put under control with the swift deployment of RAF, state police. Unfortunately, some miscreants snuck into the church compound and set three houses on fire,” he said.

Following the arson, the state government has tightened curfew yet again. It had earlier been relaxed from 6 am to 4 pm, but that’s been changed to 2 pm now.

On Sunday, authorities had extended the ban on internet services for five more days citing reports of continued “incidents like arson of houses and premises”.

“There is apprehension that anti-social elements might use social media extensively for transmission of images, hate speech and hate video messages inciting the passions of the public which might have serious repercussions for the law-and-order situation in the state of Manipur,” the order, issued by Manipur government’s Home department, reads.

It adds that “there is an imminent danger of loss of life and/or damage to property, and widespread disturbances to public tranquility and communal harmony, as a result of inflammatory material and false rumours…”

“To thwart the design and activities of anti-national and anti-social elements and to maintain peace and communal harmony and to prevent any loss of life… it has become necessary to take adequate measures to maintain law and order in public interest, by stopping the spread of disinformation and false rumours through various social media platforms such as WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, etc on various electronic equipments like tablet, computer, mobile phone, etc…,” it states.