Disregard for Government Property by Meiteis: Another Attempted Raid on Armory

In a recent happening, a Meitei mob attempted to loot weapons from an Indian Reserve Battalion (IRB) camp in Manipur’s Bishnupur district on Thursday night, resulting in gunfire that injured five youths, two of them critically, officials reported on Friday.

The incident unfolded after a rally held at Ningthoukhong Kha Khunou locality of the same district, protesting over the alleged killing of four civilians, including a father and son, by Village Volunteers earlier that day.

The peaceful protest escalated into the mob attempting to breach the camp of the 2nd IRB Battalion in Naransena area, aiming to pilfer arms and ammunition from the camp’s armory.

A clash with the forces ensued. IRB and BSF personnel stationed at the camp intervened to control the situation, resorting to firing to thwart the looting attempt.

Five individuals—Huirem Boynao (21), Oinam Umakanta (24), Pebam Sana (21), Oinam Naobi (29), and Kongkham Tondonba (46)—sustained gunshot wounds and were rushed to Raj Medicity, Imphal, for treatment. The conditions of Huirem Boynao and Pebam Sana, who suffered chest and head injuries, respectively, are reported to be critical.

Amidst the ongoing violence in Manipur, multiple incidents of armory looting, particularly by the Arambai Tenggol and Meitei mobs, have been documented. Notably, on 1st November 2023, around 700 suspected radicalized Meitei individuals stormed the 1st Bn. Manipur Rifle campus with the intent to snatch arms and ammunition.

The repercussions of such incidents extend beyond theft, as Meitei youths, particularly the Arambai Tenggol members, have been using the looted arms to attack Kuki villages. Disturbingly, these individuals openly display the looted automatic weapons in public gatherings, sharing videos and photos on social media.

Despite the authorities being aware of the identity of Arambai Tenggol leaders and members, no action has yet been taken to recover the looted arms, raising concerns about the lenient approach towards these activities by the state government and the political motivation behind such leniency.”