Fresh Unrest in Manipur as Several Houses Set Ablaze in Moreh
27 July, 2023 | Anamika Singh Parihar
Fresh series of violence erupted in Manipur as multiple houses and buses had been set on fire.
Several abandoned homes were set on fire in Moreh town in Manipur on Wednesday. There were reportedly shooting incidents in the region, but security officers had the situation under control by the afternoon. Three persons were injured according to the officials.
A mixed-race community resides in Moreh, a town in the Tengnoupal district of Manipur, near the Indo-Myanmar border. During the recent unrest, several members of the Meitei community were forced to flee their homes.
Defense sources claim that on Wednesday, a mob made up of members of the Kuki-Zomi community attempted to break into abandoned Meitei homes after being “challenged” by an Assam Rifles patrol.
The Assam Rifles, the BSF, and the police worked together to bring the situation under control; sources claim that both sides exchanged gunfire in the process.
The Forest Guest House in Moreh was partially destroyed by fire, according to the police, who also reported that 15 to 16 residences had been set on fire. Before this, a mob set fire to two security force buses in Sapormeina, Kangpokpi district, which were being used to transport troops. In relation to this incident, nine people were taken into custody. However, neither of the occurrences resulted in any casualties.
Since the fighting between the Meitei and the tribal Kuki-Zo tribes started in May, more than 140 people have died and more than 54,000 people have been displaced.
In the meantime, the governor of Manipur, Anusuiya Uikey, was contacted in Imphal by five members of the Manipur Congress parliamentary party, including the former chief minister O. Ibobi Singh, who demanded an emergency Assembly session to tackle the “ongoing unprecedented turmoil” in the State.