Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, September 29:
The Irabot Memorial Hall at Lamlai-Chalou was set on fire by unidentified miscreants at around 11 pm yesterday.
Apart from the furnitures, the fire destroyed the stage and the gallery of the hall.
Significantly tomorrow is the birth anniversary of the Jananeta.
According to local people, some persons who were walking on the road saw the fire coming from the hall and alerted other local people and put off the fire before it cause more damages.
The intention of the miscreants was to brun down the hall as they had poured inflammable fuel all over the place.
Two empty jerrycans have also been recovered from the site.
Many parts of the hall were sprinkled with the fuel, but the fire could not spread further following timely intervention by the local people.
In condemnation of last night's incident, a public meeting was organised at Lamlai today.
After the meeting, a mass protest rally was taken out in the area.
All those who spoke at the meeting chaired by president of All India Youth Federation (AIYF), Lamlai Local Council Y Boro vehemently condemned the incident.
While urging the Home Department to find out the culprits, the meeting resolved that the public themselves would henceforth take up the responsibility of protecting the hall.
Meanwhile, terming the act of arson as an act of terrorism, Art and Culture Minister and local MLA Ph Parijat, has stated that the incident was politically motivated.
Talking to mediapersons in connection , Parijat said every section of the society should condemn such violent incident.
Replying to a question, Parijat informed a case has been registered with the Lamlai Police Station in order to arrest the culprits and give them befitting punishment.