Imphal, Jul 11: Security forces on Saturday prevented a mob from attempting to advance towards a locality of a community in Manipur’s Imphal West district, averting “a potential clash,” police said.
In a statement, police said, “On Saturday, a mob of approximately 600 attempted to advance towards Kanto Sabal. The security forces intervened promptly and prevented a potential communal clash.”
Police said attempts were made by miscreants to set fire to abandoned houses but was swiftly contained, “ensuring no loss of life.”
A case has been registered in this regard, and further action is ongoing, police added.
Security forces also fired several rounds of tear gas shells and baton-charged to disperse the approaching crowd, officials said.
Meanwhile, locals claimed three houses belonging to Meiteis were burnt by miscreants among the mob which had come from adjoining Kuki-majority district of Kangpokpi.
Locals said a large number of people from the hill district of Kangpokpi descended at parts of Kanto Sabal area in Imphal West district and burnt at least three houses from 12.30 pm.
The houses which were burnt belonged to the Meitei community and had been abandoned when violence broke out in May 2023. The locality is located at the periphery of the valley adjoining the Kuki-majority district.
On seeing houses being burnt, a large number of people from nearby localities tried to approach Kanto Sabal but were stopped by security forces, leading to confrontation between locals and security forces.
Thokchom Rebubala Devi told reporters, “I am a resident of Kanto Sabal. Today around 12, we saw more than 500 Kuki people carrying out a rally and approaching towards Kanto Sabal, which was restricted to Meitei. The Kuki people descended from the nearby hill areas into valley parts and started burning our abandoned houses. After burning the houses, they went back. When we saw the houses being burnt, we tried to approach the arson site but were stopped by security forces.”
Additional security forces, including state forces, have been rushed to the area to control the situation.(PTI)
