In the latest incident of violence in Manipur, a mob reportedly ransacked a police arsenal in Bishnupur district and searched for AK-series assault rifles and over 19,000 rounds of various caliber ammunition.
According to a report from PTI news agency, the mob stormed into the Second India Reserve Battalion (IRB) headquarters in Naranasena.
An officer revealed that the crowd looted more than 19,000 rounds of ammunition of different calibers, an AK-series assault rifle, three 'deadly' rifles, 195 self-loading rifles, five MP-5 guns, sixteen 9mm pistols, 25 bulletproof jackets, and 21 carbines from the planned mass burial site in Churachandpur before the program could be executed.
The mob had gathered to march towards Churachandpur, where they were planning a mass burial of their community members who were killed in the violent clashes on May 3. This event had sparked fresh tensions with the Meitei community.
Their attempt to loot two other arsenals in the state capital was reportedly unsuccessful.
The Manipur High Court had earlier issued an extraordinary order to halt the proposed mass burial. However, the Kuki community claimed that they had suspended the program after discussions with the Central Home Ministry.
Following the 'Adivasi Ekjutata March' in the hill districts against the demand of the Meitei community for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status, more than 160 people have lost their lives and several hundred have been injured in clashes since May 3.
The Meitei population constitutes approximately 53% of Manipur's population, primarily residing in the Imphal Valley. The Adivasi-Naga and Kuki communities make up about 40% and predominantly reside in the hill districts."
