Vehicles burnt in Manipur as unrest grows

Imphal: At least 22 cars, buses and other vehicles were torched in Manipur's Imphal East district yesterday by residents protesting against the Naga economic blockade and violence spread to more areas, leading to authorities imposing curfew throughout the district as well as in neighbouring Imphal West.

Authorities have also suspended Internet connectivity in the areas.

In the attack on vehicles in Imphal East, the arsonists did not target the vehicle drivers and passengers. But as fire tenders could not reach the spot, the vehicles could not be salvaged.

In wake of the attack, heavily-armed police and paramilitary personnel were patrolling the trouble-prone areas after dispersing the unruly mob by firing tear gas canisters. As the violence spread, curfew imposed in a part of Imphal East following a militant attack was extended.

Expressing the people's resentment against the blockade, activist A Rajen said: "Since the central government is pampering the United Naga Council (UNC) and the militant outfit underpinning it, the situation is getting worse day by day. The centre is a silent spectator to the indefinite economic blockade imposed against Manipur since November 1."

Women who called the 24-hour general strike had threatened more agitations after they ended it on Saturday night.
In Sagolband area of Imphal West district, women stopped and set alight several items including consumer goods which were being transported to the tribal areas.

Nirmala, a housewife, said: "No consumer item is available in the market. Baby foods, life saving medicines, chicken, fish, eggs had vanished. We are resorting to counter blockade against some tribal areas since they should also suffer like us."
Another woman activist called the UNC a frontal organisation of a militant outfit and said it should be outlawed.