Seven hurt, houses, vehicles torched
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, June 17 2021: At least seven persons suffered injuries, including one critically, while houses, a shop and vehicles were set ablaze in a clash between two groups of people in a Kangpokpi district village.

The incident occurred around 10.30 am Thursday at Pongringlong (Charoipandongba) village which falls under under Kangchup-Geljang sub-division in Kangpokpi district but is situated close to the Tupul bridge in Noney district.

The violence also led to blocking of the NH-37 for some hours.

Till the time of filing this report, three houses, a shop and three vehicles have been burnt irreparably and two other vehicles damaged substantially by the warring mobs.

One of the damaged houses belonged to Lanlimlung Panmei.

Among the injured, Lungsinthui Malangmei (42) s/o Lungthaongam Malangmei of Pongringlong village, Landimlung Malangmei (45) s/o Pouduanjei Malangmei of Pongringlong village and Moses Ruangmei (30) s/o Lungjaoni of Sangji village among the villagers who clashed with the rival group also from Pongrin-glong village.

The injured trio was taken to Noney PHC and given first aid.

The four others who were hurt in the showdown and were on the rival side have been identified as Kabisin Gangmei (17) s/o Gaikhanjang Gangmei, Pousinlung Panmei (28) s/o Lanlimlung Panmei, Sianchinglu Kamson (41) w/o Dimthuina Kamson of and Gaithuanjang Daimei (32) s/o Jangonglung Daimei - all of Pongringlong village.

They have been brought to RIMS for treatment, where the condition of Gaithuanjang is stated to be serious.

Apart from the seven, there are also reports that other villagers and some police personnel who rushed to bring the situation under control also suffered minor injuries.

It is said that the district magistrates of both Noney and Kangpokpi had on Wednesday clamped prohibitory orders under Section 144 CrPR at Pongringlong village and the whole area of Charoichagotlong (Tupul) bazar as tension had been brewing in the said areas for the last few days.

Though sources speculated that the violence might be fallout of the tussle over the post of the village chairman, the same cannot be authenticated as district officials could not be contacted.

In view of the volatile law and order situation, top officials of both districts rushed to the village to prevent further outbreak of violence.

Later in the day, deputy commissioners Robert Singh Kshetrimayum (Noney) and Somorjit Salam (Kangpokpi) jointly chaired an emergency meeting held at Tupul community hall which was attended by DIG Range-III S Themthing and DIG Range-IV Angam Romanus Kamei, Kangpokpi SP PG Singsit, Noney SP Ningshem Vashum and leaders of the Joint Action Committee for Peace and Normalcy in Pongrin-glong village.

The situation is stated to be under control, said sources, adding that the parties in dispute are likely to meet the CM in a day or two to settle the matter.

Comment