Manipur viral video controversy: Union minister RK Ranjan Singh’s house attacked in Imphal; 2nd time in 2 months

Imphal: A women’s rally outside Union Minister RK Ranjan Singh’s Imphal residence turned ugly as protesters pelted stones demanding that he speak in Parliament about the situation in the caste strife-hit state. This is the second time in two months that the house of the junior foreign minister has been attacked. Students of Manipur University also took out a rally during the day demanding restoration of peace in the state. Police fired tear gas shells to disperse them as the youth crossed the area where they were allowed to hold the rally.

The incidents came to light on 19 July, days after a video surfaced on 4 May of two women being paraded naked and molested by a group of men in Kangpokpi district, which drew nationwide condemnation.

However, no one was present at the house at the time of the attack and there was not much damage. Security personnel posted at the house in Kongba area of ​​Imphal city dispersed the protesters, who also demanded restoration of internet services.

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“We demand that the minister speak in Parliament about the situation in the state. We want internet services back. We want to tell people what is happening to us,” said one of the protesters.

Authorities banned internet services in the northeastern state for the first time on May 3 when clashes broke out between ethnic communities. It is being extended from time to time “to prevent any disturbance of the peace and public order”.

On the night of June 15, a mob attacked the minister’s residence and tried to burn it down. Security guards and firefighters managed to control the arson attempts and save the house.

A section of Manipur University students held a rally in Imphal city demanding restoration of peace in the northeastern state.

Organized by the Manipur University Students’ Union, the rally started from the university gate at Kanchipuram here.
Police said they have permission to go to Kakwa, about two kilometers away. However, the students wanted to continue the rally beyond Kakwe and till Singjamei, about four km from the university gate.

When the rallyists tried to cross Kakwa and head towards Singjamei, the police fired tear gas to disperse them, leading to heated exchanges between the officers and the students.

The students protesting the police action, saying they are unarmed, are taking out a peace rally. Over 160 people have lost their lives, and several have been injured, since ethnic violence broke out in the state on May 3, when a ‘tribal solidarity march’ was held in the hill districts to protest against the Meitei community’s demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status.

The Meitei people account for about 53 percent of Manipur’s population and live mostly in the Imphal Valley, while the tribals, including the Nagas and Kukis, constitute 40 percent and live mostly in the hill districts.