2 more killed; over 63 houses burnt; heated exchange between police & Assam rifles

The month-long violence in Manipur continues unabated with two people being killed, two others getting injured and over 63 houses being burned in an attack by unknown miscreants at N Mollen village in Kamjong on Thursday.

A senior government official, who did not want to be named, told ET, "Two villages were attacked and over 43 houses in N Mollen village and 23 houses at T Nadyang village were set ablaze. The deceased have been identified as Kipgen and Deikhokim Simte. Hundreds of people have attacked the villages."

There were heated exchanges between the Manipur Police personnel and 37 Assam Rifles team outside Sugnu police station in Kakching district after the Assam Rifles personnel allegedly blocked the police station by parking their vehicles there.


Meanwhile, curfew was relaxed for five hours on Friday in three districts -- Imphal West, Imphal East and Kakching.

Imphal West additional district magistrate N Johnson Meetei notified that curfew was lifted for the district from 5 am to 12 noon on Friday, following "improvement" in the law and order situation but gathering of people was prohibited except for procurement of essential items, including food and medicine. In Kakching, curfew was relaxed from 5 am to 12 noon, although no public meetings were allowed.

Sources added, "Dedicated columns are standby to ensure quick action on receipt of input for early recovery of weapons. Detailed plans have been prepared for its implementation."

'Undeclared President's rule'
Former CM O Ibobi Singh questioned the new Unified Command by Amit Shah. In Imphal, he said, "When Kuldiep Singh was appointed as adviser, it was thought that he would coordinate between the different forces... However, the home ministry had made him the head of unified command which is unprecedented. For, the unified command everywhere is headed by the chief minister... There is undeclared President's rule in Manipur."