Mob targets/loots minister, MLA's houses
Source: Chronicle News Service

Bishnupur, November 17 2024: Aftermath of the recovery of three bodies, including children on Friday, out of six persons abducted by Kuki militants from a Jiribam village on November 11, a mob stormed and torched the Ningthoukhong Bazar residence of works minister Govindas Konthoujam on Saturday.

The arson act caused damages to properties estimated at over Rs 3 crore.

The arson act was preceded by a torch rally taken out around 10 pm Saturday by the denizens against the Jiribam incident.

As the torch rally reached Ningthoukhong Bazar, the protestors stormed the minister's house and set in on fire.

Though tear gas shells were unleashed and stun grenades exploded to control the frenzied mob, the police personnel were outnumbered and the protestors barged into the minister's residence.

When this correspondent enquired, it came to light that the fire caused damage to various items including materials stored for construction of the Ningthoukhong Bazar, children park, Krishnagopal Memorial complex, documents related to Govindas' 32-year long political career, four computers, six flat TVs, bed, wooden doors and windows, Rs 8.05 lakh donated by public to K Gonendro Foundation, 80 mattresses and 30 sewing machines of Krishnagopal Memorial Ward, 10 plastic tables, 600 chairs, metal doors and windows, 20 sets of CCTV camera, two monitors, four stand fans, one fridge, 15 ceiling fans, cupboards, beds and kitchen.

It was reported that the arsonists also carried away six LPG cylinders, two solar plates with batteries, Rs 5 lakh belonging to the house caretaker Ch Arun and 4 'Mohor' of gold from minister's house during the arson.

In a re-enactment of the Ningthoukhong incident, an irate mob vandalised, torched and looted the house of Wangjing Tentha AC MLA Paonam Brojen at Wangjing Wangkhei around 10 pm Saturday.

According to reports, after news about recovery of the lifeless bodies of three out of the six civilians taken hostage by armed Kukis from Borobekra area in Jiribam district spread like wildfire, the protestors destroyed and set fire to the sentry post and the resting shed of security personnel, vandalised household items, and burnt the granary of MLA Brojen.

According to some locals, as the prevailing unrest situation has been causing distress to the public as well as the MLAs and ministers, it seems that protesters targeted the MLAs' houses to disapprove their alleged silence and failure to restore normalcy.

However, what is problematic is how the mob came to loot the rice, furniture, cycle and even a puppy from someone's house, which is taking the overall situation to a wrong direction.

The locals further asked if.burn-ing down the house will put an end to the conflict.

What is even more disheartening is how the mob burned the clothes of the unarmed and non-related security personnel, while taking away the items of their choice.

Urging all concerned not to repeat such acts in the future, the locals called upon the CSOs to discuss this issue and be vigilant against those trying to loot houses under the guise of participating in the protests.

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