Two more houses set in blaze in Jiribam

Imphal: Two more houses belonging to Meitei were set in blaze, a night after three houses were damaged with bombs at Nungkhal village in Jiribam district of Manipur, on Saturday night.

The village is located approximately 25 km east of the Jiribam district headquarters.

The Jiribam police superintendent Robinson, said the incident occurred at around 10:30 pm, during which unknown miscreants set fire to two houses, including one abandoned house.

“District police and CRPF jawans rushed to the spot and rescued the owner of one residence, L. Samerendra, safely. He is in safe custody of the Jiribam police station,” he said.

A case has been registered at the Jiribam police station, he added.

The district police along with CRPF jawans conducted a search operation in and around strategic areas of Jiribam district. No individuals were arrested.

Samerendra of Kamargha, Jiribam told reporters that unknown armed miscreants, suspected to be Hmar militants, set ablaze two houses built on his rubber farm in Nungkhal village.

“Incidents have occurred where armed militants set fire to several Meitei houses in Nungkhal village. Some Bengali laborers are employed in my farm,” he said.

Around eight armed miscreants, speaking Hmar language, came and committed the crime, he added.