Daijiworld Media Network - Imphal
Imphal, Jul 11: Fresh unrest broke out in Manipur's Imphal West district on Saturday after several abandoned houses belonging to members of the Meitei community were allegedly set on fire in the Kanto Sabal area, prompting a massive security response to prevent the violence from escalating.
According to a senior police official, the incident triggered anger among local residents, with nearly 600 people gathering and attempting to march towards the affected locality. Security personnel intervened quickly, stopping the crowd before it could reach the area and preventing a possible communal confrontation.
The official said miscreants also attempted to torch additional abandoned houses, but security forces managed to contain the situation in time. No casualties were reported in the incident.
Police have registered a case and launched an investigation to identify those responsible for the arson.
Following the attack, security forces remained heavily deployed across the area to maintain law and order and prevent any further incidents.
The fire created panic among residents, with members of both the Meitei and Naga communities assembling near Kanto Sabal in an effort to help extinguish the flames. Central security forces blocked the gathering from moving towards the affected area, and tear gas shells were fired to disperse the crowd after tensions rose.
Some local residents alleged that suspected Kuki miscreants were behind the attack and claimed the houses were burnt despite the presence of security personnel. They also accused the forces of failing to prevent the arson.
According to residents, a group of people allegedly entered the Kanto Sabal area from the neighbouring Kangpokpi district and set several Meitei-owned houses on fire. The houses had remained unoccupied since ethnic violence erupted in the state in May 2023.
Kanto Sabal lies on the edge of the Imphal Valley, bordering the Kuki-majority Kangpokpi district, making it one of the state's most sensitive security zones.
As news of the incident spread, large numbers of people from nearby areas rushed towards the locality but were stopped by security forces, leading to brief confrontations between protesters and security personnel.
Authorities said the situation is currently under control, with security forces maintaining heightened vigilance and continuing to monitor the area to prevent any further deterioration in law and order.