Three held in arson case; security stepped up in Imphal West: Manipur home minister

Imphal, Jul 13 (PTI) Manipur Home Minister Govindas Konthoujam on Monday said CRPF personnel and state security forces have been deployed at Kanto Sabal in Imphal West district where a mob of around 600 people allegedly set fire to a number of houses recently. Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a programme, Konthoujam condemned the incident and said more arrests were likely in the coming days. "We strongly condemn the arson. Hopefully, within the next couple of days, there will be more arrests. We have asked the security forces to remain alert," he said. "Three persons have been detained out of 20 people who were picked up in connection with the incident. Further action will follow. CRPF and state forces have already been deployed. A high-level security meeting was also convened on Sunday evening. The government will conduct a thorough investigation into the matter," Konthoujam said. A mob of around 600 people from neighbouring Kuki-majority Kangpokpi district, while taking out a rally against road blockades on Saturday, entered Kanto Sabal and allegedly torched three houses, triggering fresh communal tension in the area. Police had said on Saturday that Kammang Lhouvum (65), chief of Hengjang village, and Pagin Hangshing (30), a resident of Khunkho Kuki village, were arrested in connection with "the case registered regarding the mob disturbance and attempt by miscreants to set fire to abandoned houses at Kanto Sabal". More than 260 people have been killed in ethnic violence between the Imphal Valley-based Meitei and the adjoining hills-based Kuki communities in Manipur since May 2023. MNB