Curfew relaxations revoked in Manipur as tear gas shells cause injuries to around 17 people.

Clashes in Manipur as Army and RAF personnel fire tear gas shells, 17 injured

New Delhi: Clashes erupted in Kangvai and Phougakchao areas of Bishnupur district in Manipur on Thursday as Army and RAF personnel fired tear gas shells to stop processions from proceeding to a proposed burial site in violation of restrictions on gatherings. Around 17 people were injured in the clashes. The district magistrates of Imphal East and Imphal West have withdrawn curfew relaxations that were earlier announced.

Miscreants loot arms, ammunition

Miscreants looted arms and ammunition from the 2nd Indian Reserve Battalion outpost at Naransena in Bishnupur district on Thursday morning. Another group of miscreants attempted to loot arms and ammunition from the 2nd Manipur Rifles complex at Imphal, but security personnel foiled the attempt by firing tear gas shells.

Flashpoint

Tension had been brewing since morning in Bishnupur district as hundreds of locals came out on the streets to go towards the burial site and to block the movement of security forces. The locals, led by women, demanded that they be allowed to go to Tuibuong, the burial site. The security forces fired tear gas shells to disperse the mob, resulting in injuries.

Mass burial

Hours before a planned mass burial of Kuki-Zomi people killed in Manipur’s ethnic violence, the state’s high court ordered that the status quo be maintained at the proposed burial site in Churachandpur district. The Indigenous Tribal Leaders’ Forum, an apex tribal body, postponed the funeral service plans by seven days following requests from the Union home ministry. The planned burial had resulted in tension in many districts of Manipur. The high court took into consideration the potential of aggravating the already volatile law and order situation and the possibility of igniting a fresh wave of violence and bloodshed due to the gathering of a large mob at the land in question.

(With inputs from agencies)

• Clashes erupted in Manipur as Army and RAF personnel fired tear gas shells to stop processions from proceeding to a proposed burial site in violation of restrictions on gatherings.
• Around 17 people were injured in the clashes.
• Miscreants looted arms and ammunition from the 2nd Indian Reserve Battalion outpost at Naransena in Bishnupur district.
• Another group of miscreants attempted to loot arms and ammunition from the 2nd Manipur Rifles complex at Imphal, but security personnel foiled the attempt.
• Tension had been brewing in Bishnupur district as locals demanded to be allowed to go to the burial site.
• The security forces fired tear gas shells to disperse the mob, resulting in injuries.
• The high court ordered that the status quo be maintained at the proposed burial site in Churachandpur district.
• The Indigenous Tribal Leaders’ Forum postponed the funeral service plans by seven days.
• The high court took into consideration the potential of aggravating the law and order situation and the possibility of igniting a fresh wave of violence.