In Manipur, an infuriated mob resorted to arson, setting ablaze a local Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) mandal office situated within the Thoubal district. This violent act was a response to the recent tragic deaths of two students in the state. The aggrieved mob not only set the office on fire but also wreaked havoc by vandalizing the entrance gate, shattering windows, and causing damage to a vehicle parked on the premises.
In addition to these destructive actions, protesters took to the streets, burning tires and obstructing the Indo-Myanmar highway with wooden logs and disused electric poles. In response, law enforcement agencies resorted to measures such as firing tear gas shells, mock bombs, and live ammunition in an attempt to disperse the crowd. In retaliation, the protesters used slingshots and hurled stones.
It's worth noting that this incident is not an isolated one, as BJP offices have been targeted previously. In June, amid escalating ethnic tensions in the state, miscreants vandalized three BJP offices.
Furthermore, on the same day, student demonstrations erupted in various districts, including Bishnupur.
A clash between Rapid Action Force (RAF) personnel and locals had occurred the night before, following the discovery of the bodies of two students who had been missing since July 6. In response to the protests, law enforcement authorities deployed tear gas shells, and rubber bullets, and resorted to baton charges, leading to injuries to 45 protesters, most of whom were students.
As the public outcry continued, hundreds of students marched toward the residence of Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh on the following day. However, security forces, including the state police and the Rapid Action Force, employed tear gas shells and smoke bombs to disperse the demonstrators in a bid to maintain order.
The ongoing unrest is a response to the killing of the two students, who were allegedly abducted in July, and highlights the tensions and concerns within the state.
