2 killed in fresh violence in Indian state of Manipur

NEW DELHI

Two people were killed and several others injured in the restive Indian state of Manipur as security forces opened fire after a mob attempted to storm a compound housing a police chief's office, an official said on Friday.

Manipur police late on Thursday night said a mob attempted to storm the office of Churachandpur district’s police chief.

In a statement, police said security forces “responded appropriately” and used tear gas to control the situation.

However, a police official in the district, wishing anonymity, told Anadolu over the phone on Friday that two people died as security forces opened fire to contain the crowd.

Following the incident, the state authorities suspended the mobile internet service in the district for five days, according to an order issued on Friday.

The protest last night came as local police ordered the suspension of a policeman belonging to the Kuki community after purported images of him with armed men appeared on social media.

The Indigenous Tribal Leaders' Forum, an apex tribal body in the state, blamed the police for the violence.

“If the SP (Superintendent of Police) cannot act with fairness, we will not allow him to remain in any tribal areas. He should immediately revoke the suspension of the policeman and leave the district within 24 hours,” the body said in a statement on Thursday night, adding that 25 were injured in the security forces’ action.

The superintendent was not available for comments.

The fresh incident followed ethnic clashes in Manipur nine months ago, which resulted in the killing of at least 180 people and affected thousands of others. Clashes have taken place between the members of the majority Meitei and the Kuki tribal communities in the state.

In December, authorities held a mass burial for over 80 people killed in ethnic clashes which happened in May last year.