Manipur violence: Kuki National Organisation spokesperson’s house set on fire in Churachandpur

A house of a Kuki leader was set on fire in strife-torn Manipur as the state witnessed another wave of violence on Monday (July 3).

The incident was part of a new spate of violence that occurred on Monday in the Kangpokpi area located under the Thingsat hill range. (File Photo)
By India Today News Desk: The house of Kuki National Organisation spokesperson Seilen Haokip in Churachandpur’s Songpi was set on fire by some unknown miscreants on Monday (July 3). Selien Haokip was one of the leaders who had raised his voice for the lifting of the blockade on National Highway 2 in Kangpokpi.

The incident was part of a new spate of violence that occurred on Monday in the Kangpokpi area located under the Thingsat hill range.

According to sources, an exchange of gunfire was also witnessed in Phaileng village during the early hours of Monday, escalating the atmosphere of fear and uncertainty in the strife-torn state.

Meanwhile, expressing concern over the law and order situation in Manipur, the Supreme Court has sought a detailed status report from the state government on the measures taken to curb ethnic violence in the state.

The Supreme Court bench, headed by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud and Justices PS Narasimha and Manoj Misra, asked the government to list the steps taken towards building rehabilitation camps for homeless and violence-affected people, deployment of forces, and the law and order situation in Manipur.

On Saturday (July 1), Manipur Chief Minister Biren Singh hinted at “a foreign hand” behind the violence that has gripped the state for the past two months.

He said the Centre and the state government were making all efforts to restore peace to the state, adding that he spoke with his “Kuki brothers and sisters” over the telephone earlier in the day, saying, “Let’s forgive and forget”.

Nearly 120 people have died, and more than 3,000 were injured in ethnic violence between Meitei and Kuki communities in Manipur, which started on May 3. Meiteis account for about 53 per cent of Manipur’s population and live mostly in the Imphal Valley. Tribals — Nagas and Kukis — constitute another 40 per cent of the population and reside in the hill districts.

This article was published on www.indiatoday.in