Tensions heightened in Manipur’s Jiribam district on Saturday after suspected militants set on fire two police outposts, a forest office, and at least 70 houses prompting the authorities to transfer the superintendent of police, said the officials. A contingent of over 70 state police commandos was airlifted from Imphal to Jiribam to assist the security personnel in their operation, they said.
The fresh bout of violence erupted in the district on Thursday after a 59-year-old man, identified as Soibam Saratkumar Singh, was found dead, with his body bearing signs of injuries made by sharp object, as per an Indian Express report.
Following the mob rampage, prohibitory orders under CrPC Section 144 was imposed by the Jiribam administration.
On Friday, around 239 Meitei people, mostly women and children, were evacuated from peripheral areas of the district and moved to a newly set up relief camp at a multi-sports complex, the officials said as per PTI.
The suspected militants set ablaze over 70 houses in Lamtai Khunou, Dibong Khunou, Nunkhal and Begra villages, as per a senior official, who said that the villagers vacated their residences and took shelter in a relief camp.
Hours after police outposts of Jiri Mukh and Choto Bekra and the Goakhal forest beat office were torched, the SP’s transfer order was issued, the officer said. Jiribam SP A Ghanashyam Sharma was transferred to the post of additional director of the Manipur Police Training College by the state government, according to an order issued by the Department of Personnel and Administrative Reforms, reported PTI,
The charge of senior superintendent of police of Jiribam district will now be taken by M Pradip Singh, who has been serving as the additional director of the police training college.
Newly elected Congress MP from the Inner Manipur Lok Sabha seat Angomcha Bimol Akoijam reacted to the incident and urged the state government to protect the lives and and properties of the people of Jiribam district.