Mob of around 600 attempts to advance towards Manipur's Imphal West, security forces prevent potential communal clash

IMPHAL: Security forces on Saturday prevented a mob of around 600 people from advancing towards Kanto Sabal in Manipur's Imphal West district, averting what police described as a potential communal clash amid fresh tensions in the area.In a statement, police said, "On Saturday, a mob of approximately 600 attempted to advance towards Kanto Sabal. The security forces intervened promptly and prevented a potential communal clash."According to police, some miscreants also attempted to set fire to abandoned houses in the locality. The situation, however, was brought under control swiftly and no casualties were reported.A case has been registered and further investigation is underway, police said.Officials said security personnel fired tear gas shells and resorted to baton-charge to disperse the crowd and prevent it from entering the area.Meanwhile, local residents alleged that at least three houses belonging to members of the Meitei community were set ablaze by miscreants who had allegedly come from the neighbouring Kuki-majority district of Kangpokpi.According to locals, a large group descended from the hill district into parts of Kanto Sabal around 12.30 pm and torched the abandoned houses.

The locality lies on the outskirts of the Imphal valley, bordering Kangpokpi district.The houses had reportedly remained vacant since ethnic violence erupted in the state in May 2023.The incident triggered panic in nearby areas, with residents attempting to march towards Kanto Sabal after spotting smoke rising from the houses. Security forces, however, stopped them, leading to tense scenes and a confrontation."I am a resident of Kanto Sabal. Today around 12, we saw more than 500 Kuki people carrying out a rally and approaching towards Kanto Sabal, which was restricted to Meitei. The Kuki people descended from the nearby hill areas into valley parts and started burning our abandoned houses. After burning the houses, they went back. When we saw the houses being burnt, we tried to approach the arson site but were stopped by security forces," resident Thokchom Rebubala Devi told reporters.Additional contingents of state and central security forces have been deployed in the area to maintain law and order and prevent any further escalation.