Imphal: In an intense violence that erupted in Thoubal District a Meitei civilian was killed and left several others injured in a firing by IRB personnel after an irate mob stormed the 3rd Indian Reserve Battalion (IRB) Camp, Khangabok in Thoubal District at around 11 am on Tuesday.
The irate mob demanding access to arms and ammunition to protect themselves from attacks by militants, alleging failure on the part of security forces to protect them stormed the IRB camp. In the intense scuffle, the IRB personnel and Security Forces resorted to firing several rounds of tear gas shells, smoke bombs and blank firing to control the mob. Additional police force, including Rapid Action Force and Assam Rifles were rushed to the area.
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The crowd demanded return of the arms and ammunition they had surrendered or recovered by the security forces in the wake of “relentless attacks by suspected militants” in the villages in the periphery of the valley district.
The deceased is identified as a 27-year-old Abujam Ronaldo from Heirok part 3 Kabo Leikai. He succumbed on his way to Thoubal District hospital in Imphal after sustaining a critical bullet shot to his head.
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Angered over the incident, agitators burned down the house of IRB Irengbam Rupachandra at Samaram Makha Leikai, for his alleged involvement in the firing. Widespread protests across the district including blocking of Imphal-Moreh section of NH-102 was reported. An irate mob also burned down a Gypsy of the Assam Rifles at Khangabok.
In the wake of the tense situation, Thoubal District Magistrate curtailed curfew relaxation till 2 pm on Wednesday and from 5 am till 12 noon of July 5.
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The Indian Army also informed about the attempt to loot weapons.
“𝗔𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗺𝗽𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗟𝗼𝗼𝘁 𝗪𝗽𝗻𝘀 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗜𝗥𝗕 𝗮𝘁 𝗞𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗮𝗯𝗼𝗸,𝗧𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗯𝗮𝗹 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝘁𝘁 An attempt to loot weapons from an India Reserve Battalion at Khangabok in Thoubal district of #Manipur was successfully thwarted by Security Forces today. One rioter was killed while few others were injured during the failed attempt. Mob had laid road blocks to prevent movement of reinforcements. However, additional columns of Assam Rifles and Rapid Action Force were able to induct and situation was brought under control by synergised efforts of Security Forces,” SpearCorps Indian Army tweeted.