Fresh violence erupted in the northeastern Indian state of Manipur on Monday after a mob torched a bunch of houses in the Imphal West district, reported the Hindustan Times.
The state's Chief Minister N Biren Singh said that a former MLA (member of the Legislative Assembly), along with two others, have been arrested.
Violence had first broken out in the North Eastern state on May 3 after thousands participated in a protest march organised by the All Tribal Students' Union of Manipur to oppose the demand of the majority Meitei community to be included in the Scheduled Tribe category.
The protestors included the Kukis, one of the larger tribal communities in Manipur. They have been at odds with the state government, and, in particular, the chief minister who the community claims harbours Meitei “majoritarian” sentiments. The clashes have left at least 73 persons dead and over 35,000 displaced.
The fresh violence on Monday took place in the New Checkon market area around 2 pm. The area is home to the Kukis, Meiteis and other ethnic groups, according to the Hindustan Times.
In the morning, as the curfew was relaxed, a group of men armed with firearms and led by the former MLA allegedly asked traders to close their shops. Security personnel intervened to control the situation, reported The Indian Express.
“It is very unfortunate that an ex-MLA was involved in the conspiracy,” the chief minister said. “Two armed personnel carrying single-barrel guns threatened vendors and asked them to vacate the area. Both these persons along with the ex-MLA have been picked up.”
Although the Army was deployed in the area, houses of those who had fled the violence were set on fire. Officials said that the houses were located inside a church compound.
