Violence on Monday spread to Senapati district of Manipur with two vehicles being torched even as indefinite curfew remained in force in Imphal East district and mobile data services suspended after protests over economic blockade by the United Naga Council.
However, curfew was lifted from Imphal West district early on Monday morning.
At least 22 cars, buses and other vehicles were torched in some places in Manipur’s Imphal East district on Sunday by residents protesting the Naga economic blockade even as curfew was imposed there after a militant attack.
However the arsonists did not target the vehicle drivers and passengers. As fire-tenders could not reach the spot, the vehicles could not be salvaged.
In wake of the attack, heavily-armed police and paramilitary personnel were patrolling the trouble-prone areas after dispersing the unruly mob by firing tear gas canisters.
In Sagolband area of Imphal West district, women stopped and set alight several items including consumer goods which were being transported to the tribal areas.
Four vehicles of former minister Marung Makunga were also vandalised on Sunday night, at Saombung in Imphal East district, the police said.
Meanwhile, curfew was imposed in a stretch of Imphal East earlier on Sunday after tribal militants opened fire in Bongyang village along the Imphal-Ukhrul road. Since most of the villagers were inside the church for Sunday prayers, there was no casualty.
In response, Collector Ningthoujam Geofrey clamped curfew in the area from Lamlong market to Yaingangpokpi, with the restrictions extending to 300 metres on either side of the state highway.
Mobile internet services were snapped till 25 December and Imphal East district was brought under indefinite curfew till further orders on Sunday.
The landlocked state has been experiencing severe hardship in supply of essential items since 1 November after UNC imposed an indefinite economic blockade on the two national highways that serve as lifelines for the state.
The blockade was imposed following the state government’s announcement of formation of seven new districts, four of which have been formally inaugurated.
Tension in the state escalated after militants ambushed Manipur Police and other state forces in the last few days that left three policemen dead and 14 others injured last Thursday.
The attack was followed by triple bomb blasts at Nagaram area in Imphal West district allegedly by Manipur Naga People's Front the very next day.
In another incident, suspected militants overpowered a small outpost of Indian Reserve Battalion (IRB) at Nungkao area on Sunday in Tamenglong district and fled with nine service weapons.
(With inputs from ANI, PTI)
(At The Quint, we question everything. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member today.)