Manipur continues to grapple with unrest as news emerges of a house being deliberately set ablaze right opposite the state Secretariat. Initial reports indicate that the house belonged to a family associated with the Kuki community, who were displaced to the hills following last year's spate of violence.
It was just five days ago, on June 10th, that an advance security team of Manipur's Chief Minister N. Biren Singh fell victim to an ambush by Kuki militants. This team was on their way to Jiribam in preparation for the CM's forthcoming visit when they were attacked near T Laijang village, Kangpokpi district, along National Highway-37. Two security personnel, including members of the state CID and CISF, sustained injuries in the assault.
Authorities, seeking anonymity, have shared that the advance security team was traveling from Imphal to Jiribam district. Around 10:30 a.m., they were ambushed close to Kotlen in Kangpokpi district, resulting in injuries to two of the personnel.
Before this attack on the Chief Minister's security team, violence in Manipur was reported on June 8th after a body was discovered, triggering riots in the Jiribam area. Agitators set fire to several homes belonging to the Meitei community in the region.
According to state intelligence sources, Kuki miscreants are spreading violence in the Meitei village of Jiribam, while a WhatsApp group associated with the Kuki community shared a video indicating that alleged Kuki militants were closely observing the Meitei population in Lamtai Khunou village, Jiribam, burning down their homes.
