Mob vandalises BJP minister’s house in Manipur, alleging inaction

Imphal: An angry mob on Wednesday vandalised the house of a BJP leader and minister of Manipur first time since violence between two ethnic groups erupted in the state days ago.

The mob attacked the house of Manipur PWD Minister Konthoujam Govindas in Bishnupur district, claiming that the state government has not done enough to protect locals from armed militants belonging to another community.

Govindas, who also holds the Youth Affairs and Sports portfolio, is a senior BJP member.

However, the minister and his family members were not present at the house when around 100 agitated people, mostly women, ransacked the house in Ningthoukhong Bazar area of Bishnupur district and damaged the gate, windows, a few furniture, electronic gadgets and vehicles parked at his residence.

This is for the first time a minister and a senior BJP leader's house was vandalised after the ethnic violence between Meitei and Kuki community people broke out in Manipur on May 3, claiming the lives of at least 71 people and injuring over 300.

Army and paramilitary forces led by senior officials have been deployed to control the situation in the district.

In separate incidents, fresh tension erupted in Bishnupur district after reports of arson and attacks by militants in the intervening night of Tuesday and Wednesday at Tera Khongsangbi, while a large number of women blocked vehicular movement in Tiddim road, including those of security forces.

On Wednesday, two persons sustained bullet injuries after being fired up on by suspected armed militants from the hill side in Thamnapokpi foothill.

IANS with superficial edits