Guwahati: In a shocking incident, a bus carrying Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel was stopped and torched by an angry mob at Kangpokpi Bazar in Kangpokpi district, Manipur around 8:30 PM on 17th June. The mob, comprising approximately 2,000 people, alleged that the bus belonged to the Meitei community, according to sources.
The bus, bearing registration number MN 06 B 0463, was en route from the Deputy Commissioner’s office in Kangpokpi to the Kangpokpi Police Station when it was intercepted. Despite police rushing to the scene, they were initially unable to reach the bus due to the mob blocking the road.
Police eventually managed to disperse the crowd and tow the vehicle to a safe location. This incident occurs amidst heightened tensions in the state, following recent violent outbreaks and the arrival of heavy reinforcements from CRPF, Border Security Force (BSF), Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), and Rapid Action Force (RAF) after their election duties in various parts of the country.
These paramilitary forces have been stationed in various schools and colleges across the valley and its fringe areas to maintain order. The torching of the CRPF bus coincided with Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s high-level meeting in New Delhi to review the security situation in Manipur.
During the meeting, Shah directed officials to ensure that no further incidents of violence occur and to take strict legal action against those responsible for the unrest. He also mentioned that additional forces would be deployed to the state if necessary to restore peace and order.
The situation in Manipur remains tense, and the authorities are on high alert to prevent further escalation. The government’s firm stance on addressing the violence aims to bring stability to the region amid ongoing ethnic conflicts.
