Fresh violence strikes Manipur: Houses set ablaze, low-grade explosion reported

Jiribam (Manipur): In fresh violence in Manipur's trouble-torn Jiribam district, several houses in Borobekra subdivision were set afire by unknown persons early on Friday, police said. 

According to the police, a low-grade explosion was also reported from the area.

"Two makeshift houses in that area were razed by miscreants. Some abandoned makeshift houses and standalone homes were also burned down around 2.30 a.m. on Friday. The incident happened in the Bhutangkhal locality, the remotest part of the Borobekra subdivision," Superintendent of Police, Jiribam, Maharbam P.S., told reporters.

Following violent unrest in Manipur's Jiribam district since June 6, nearly 1,000 individuals from the Meitei community residing in villages such as Lamtaikhunou, Madhupur, and Loukoipung, among others, have sought refuge. They are now accommodated in seven shelter camps within Jiribam town. The turmoil stemmed from the killing of 59-year-old farmer Soibam Saratkumar Singh. 

On the other hand, around 600 Hmar-Kuki-Zomi tribal residents of Jiribam, which abuts Assam, have crossed the inter-state border and have taken shelter in the Cachar district of the neighbouring state.

Security measures in Jiribam have been significantly heightened, with the deployment of six companies of the CRPF, ten companies of the Assam Rifles, and personnel from the state Police and Village Defence Forces (VDF) to ensure law and order in the region. In response to the escalating situation, the district administration has enforced Section 144 across the entire district.

Despite some shops and business establishments remaining operational in Jiribam town on Friday, the overall public activity has been subdued as tension continues to linger in the area. IANS