Unidentified Men Torch BJP Spokesperson’s Family Home in Manipur

GG News Bureau
Churachandpur, 31st August. In a shocking incident on Saturday, a group of unidentified men torched the house of BJP spokesperson Michael Lamjathang Haokip’s parents in Manipur’s Churachandpur district, according to officials.

The attack took place in Peniel village, where more than twenty people reportedly set fire to the residence and also torched a four-wheeler parked at the property. This marks the third attack on Lamjathang’s family home since last year, with the latest incident occurring in less than a week.

In response to the attack, Churachandpur District Deputy Commissioner Dharun Kumar S has instructed the District Superintendent of Police to conduct a thorough investigation and submit a detailed report promptly.

Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh condemned the attack, expressing grave concern over the recurring violence. “I strongly condemn the arson attack at Michael Lamjathang Haokip’s parents’ residence for the third time today. The repeated targeting of our people (Thadou in this case), often under the guise of peace rallies, is a deeply troubling trend,” Singh stated on X, formerly known as Twitter.

The Chief Minister further warned that such provocations would not be tolerated and assured that those responsible would be held accountable. He also emphasized that action would be taken against officials who failed to provide adequate security to Haokip and his family, despite prior warnings of potential threats.

This incident follows a previous attack on August 25, when around 30 armed men targeted Haokip’s residence, opening fire and setting parts of the property ablaze. Notably, the attack occurred just hours after Haokip participated in a panel discussion titled “Kuki Supremacy and Its Agenda” on a local TV channel.

The state of Manipur has been plagued by ethnic violence since May 3, 2023, when a tribal solidarity march in the hill districts escalated tensions between the majority Meitei community and the Kuki-Zo tribes. Over 200 people have been killed and thousands left homeless due to the ongoing conflict.

The Kukis, also known as the Kuki-Zo community, primarily reside in the hill districts, while the Meitei community members are the majority residents of the Imphal Valley region. The ongoing ethnic violence between these groups has continued to disrupt the state’s peace and stability.