House torched in Palace Compound, two injured
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, June 16 2023: A large crowd on Friday afternoon set fire to a house located next to Advanced Hospital in Palace Compound during which least two people were injured as security forces fired tear gas shells to disperse the arsonists.

The incident occurred at 3pm Friday when people from different directions set fire to a house located next to the private Hospital.

RAF personnel unleashed several tear gas shells to control the situation.

During the chaos, two people, namely Hemam Manglembi Devi (37) of Harikhagok Mak-hong and Bhujel Gopal (24), a non-local staying in a rented quarter at Soibam Leikai, sustained injuries.

On receiving reports of the act of arson, a team of Manipur Fire Services arrived at the location and utilised two fire tenders to save the house.

Despite their efforts, majority of the house got burnt beyond redemption.

Nonetheless, the firemen managed to extinguish the flames before it spread to the adjoining structures.

A combined team of Manipur police and Gorkha Regiment also came to the spot and tried to control the situation.

The state forces urged the protesting crowd to retreat but the protestors refused leading to a stand-off till 5pm .

Subsequently, the state forces gave the protestors five-minutes to retreat.

As the protestors continued to agitate, security forces started dispersing the crowd.

Soon after, an RAF team joined in to take control of the situation.

The RAF team then started firing tear gas shells to disperse the protestors.

The protestors also retaliated with slingshots and pelted stones at the forces.

Meanwhile, five people detained in connection with the incident have been handed over to Porompat PS .

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