Mob sets fire to private godown of Manipur minister, damages worth crores

Imphal (IANS) | At Chingarel in Imphal East district, a mob attacked Manipur minister L.K. A private godown of Susindro Meitei was set on fire. Plastic pipes worth Rs 120 crore were gutted in the fire, besides other materials. Police said on Saturday that after setting the godown on fire on Friday night, the mob also tried to attack the minister’s residence at Khurai in the same Imphal East district.

Due to the timely intervention of the security forces, the attack was stopped and the crowd dispersed. Police said the security forces fired several rounds of tear gas shells till Friday midnight to disperse the mob from Khurai areas.

There is no information about any casualty in the incident. Speaking to the media on Saturday, the minister said that ‘it was a politically motivated attack’.

Earlier, the mob had torched the residences of several ministers, legislators and leaders of various political parties. These included Union Minister Rajkumar Ranjan Singh, Manipur’s only woman minister Nemcha Kipgen, PWD minister Konthoujam Govindas, Uripok constituency MLA Raghumani Singh, Suganu MLA K. Ranjit Singh and Naoria Pakhangalkapa MLA S. Contains the residence of KB Devi.

Friday night’s incident took place after incidents of exchange of fire between terrorists and security forces were reported from various places in Imphal East and Kangpokpi districts. Police said the mob, which consisted of men and women, demanded an early resolution of the ethnic conflict between the Meitei and Kuki communities.

The mob accused all ministers and legislators of not doing enough to end the Manipur crisis.

–IANS