Imphal, 22 May (MTNews): A former Manipur MLA and two others were arrested with guns today after violence flared up in state capital Imphal’s Chekon neighborhood.
The three armed men including the ex-MLA threatened shopkeepers to shut down in New Chekon, Chief Minister N Biren Singh told reporters this evening.
According to Ukhrul Times, fresh violence erupted when a section of people reportedly fought over market space at Tribal Market, New Lambulane 1st street on Monday at around 10 AM.
The Tribal Market, famous for vegetables and other edible commodities is a popular market area for vendors of all communities including the Kabui Naga, Meitei and Meitei Pangals.
Sources informed that armed miscreants who came out from New Lambulane, Imphal East reportedly threatened women vendors from occupying the Tribal Market without their permission today.
Following this, irate people from other locations tried to storm the market. Some houses were torched in the incident around 1 PM. The mob while protesting resorted to burning tyres on the road. Manipur Police and Assam Rifles fired several rounds of blank fires to control the mob that gathered following the incident, sources said.
Timely arrival of state and central paramilitary forces averted any violence.
“The Assam Rifles rushed in and caught the three men and handed them over to the state police. The situation has been brought under control,” CM Biren Singh said, adding three shotguns have been recovered.
Curfew, which had earlier been relaxed till 4 PM in Imphal, was reimposed after 1 PM after the latest flare-up. Manipur Police Additional DGP (Law and Order) Kailun Lupheng, Imphal West SP Dr. S. Ibomcha, Imphal East SP Ksh Shivakanta and other top police officials took stock of the situation. The Manipur Fire Service Team came and doused the burning houses.
Manipur Police Commandos stationed at Sanjenthong tried to stop around 20 to 30 miscreants who tried to enter Haokip Veng in the area by firing several rounds of bullets yet the irate miscreants burnt down another house.
At least 3 journalists injured
Meanwhile, Ukhrul Times reported that at least 3 media persons, covering New Checkon fresh flare-up in Imphal East were assaulted while covering the incident. Three journalists received blows from lathi-charge reportedly carried out by infantry personnel of the Jat Regiment, Indian Army.
The injured media persons were given first aid at Remedy Hospital in Palace Compound. Following this, the All Manipur Working Journalists Union (AMWJU) members led by President Bijoy Kakchingtabam met with the injured journalists and condemned the physical assault on media persons by the Indian army.
A meeting was convened today evening joined by AMWJU, Editors Guild Manipur and Hills Journalist Union Manipur at Manipur Press Club where they resolved to stop publishing any news related to the Indian Army.
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