Gunshots Fired at Under-Construction Religious Installation in Imphal, Security Tightened

Imphal: The state of Manipur has been experiencing unrest and unrest for over a year and another incident of violence has been reported in Manipur's capital city, Imphal.

Gunshots have been fired at an under-construction installation in the Manipur capital and security has been heightened. 

Unrest In Manipur Again, Gunshots Fired in Imphal

Shots were fired targeting an under-construction religious installation in Imphal in the early hours of Friday, police said. The incident happened around 12.30 am at the Palace Compound, they said.

Security Tightened, Investigation Underway

Police said security has been tightened in the area following the incident of firing. Those behind the incident are yet to be identified, they said.

A team of central forces was guarding the site where the incident of firing happened, officials said.

Armed Assailants Open Fire at Manipur MLA's Residence

In another news, a few unidentified armed assailants allegedly fired several rounds at the residence of MLA Singhat (ST) Chinlunthang at Zou Veng in Manipur's Churachandpur district at 12:50 am on Thursday. 

Cops said the assailants took advantage of the darkness and fled the scene. Cops, upon inspection, found some portions of the wall damaged and also recovered five empty cases of AK-47 cartridges. 

No casualties were reported during the incident and a case was registered at Churachandpur Police Station.

Second Incident in 1 Month, Last in Reasi

This is not the first incident of firing at a religious place, just last month, a Shiv mandir was reportedly vandalised in the Reasi district of Jammu & Kashmir which triggered protests.

PM Modi on Manipur Violence

Just recently, during his Rajya Sabha Address, Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke about the government's efforts towards restoring peace in the north-eastern state. 

He said, “The Home minister has stayed in the state for an extended period of time. He goes to the state frequently to talk to various groups to come to a peaceful conclusion. State and Centre are worried about Manipur.”

The Prime Minister further added, “We are working to bring peace to Manipur. Over 11,00 FIRs have been filed. More than 500 people have been arrested. We need to accept that violence in Manipur dying out. It's becoming possible to hope for peace. Schools, colleges and offices are functioning like normal now.”