One School, five churches set ablaze in fresh clashes, ITLF said

Guwahati: In the freshly reported violence in Manipur, the Indigenous Tribal Leaders’ Forum (ITLF) on Sunday night claimed that at least five churches, a school, a petrol pump and 14 homes belonging to tribals in Jiribam were set ablaze on Saturday night.

The ITLF in a statement condemned the attacks and stated that security forces failed to protect the buildings despite a Supreme Court order to safeguard structures abandoned due to the ongoing conflict.

The organisation also raised concerns about the repeated targeting of churches, with over 360 destroyed since the ethnic conflict began in Manipur.

It may be mentioned that the recovery of the six bodies believed to be the six women and children missing since November 11, sparked widespread attacks on the houses of ministers, MLAs, and political leaders in several districts, including Imphal East and Imphal West.

To disperse the protesters, security forces fired tear gas shells and rubber bullets, injuring over 15 people.

The protesters also burnt tyres on main roads and blocked vehicular movement.

The administration following the incidents, imposed an indefinite curfew in Imphal East, West, Bishnupur, Thoubal, and Kakching districts of Imphal Valley.

Mobile internet and data services were also suspended in seven districts for two days, starting from Saturday evening.