On May 25 evening, a mob stormed the residence of union minister of state for external affairs, RK Ranjan Singh, in Kongba, Imphal, according to officials. The incident occurred at around 8:30 pm at the minister’s residence in Kongba under the jurisdiction of the Irilbung Police Station in Imphal East district. Upon receiving the information, the superintendent of police of Imphal East and inspector general of police Themthing Ngasangva rushed to the site with additional forces to control the situation.
Sources report that Rapid Action Police (RAP) personnel, who were present at the scene, resorted to tear gas shelling. Additionally, five blank rounds were fired to disperse the crowd.
Earlier, a mob had attempted to storm the residence of Manipur forest minister Th Bishwajit Singh in Thongju Kitna Panung. However, Manipur police intervened and managed to stop the mob.
Officials have also reported three incidents of fresh violence on May 24 in Kadangband, Imphal West district. Following the violence, security was tightened in the area.
Meanwhile, a curfew has been relaxed in East and West Manipur from 5 am to 12 noon on May 26, as per a notification from the Manipur government. However, there are certain restrictions in place. People are allowed to leave their residences only for essential purposes such as purchasing medicines and food supplies, and gatherings for other purposes are prohibited.
The areas where the relaxation will not be applied include Ayangpalli Road from Lamlong Bazar to Yonglan Leirak in the East, Imphal River from Thumbuthong to Lamlong Bridge via Minuthong in the West, Lamlong Bazar in the North, and Yonglan Leirak to Thumbuthong via Poop Lampak and Thangapat Mapal in the South.
Manipur has been experiencing ethnic violence, and chief minister N Biren Singh stated earlier this month that approximately 60 people have lost their lives. Incidents of houses being burnt have also been reported in the state, with new incidents occurring in some areas.
