By M.Devanand Sharma
Imphal (Manipur), Aug 27: At least 5 houses were burnt amid tight security in New Checkon here today. Five houses including two houses belonging to Meitei community were gutted down on Sunday afternoon.
Locals around said that the fire must have been set by Kukis living at New Checkon since the exit points of the lane are air-tight fenced, and numerous CRPF personnel are deployed there round the clock between the exit points.
Besides, there is tight deployment of SSB personnel on the main road all the time. There is no chance that a Meitei or a Muslim would enter there and set fire to the house. It is very much clear that the Kukis themselves set the fire so that it would catch other neighboring Meitei houses, said Huidrom Malini Devi, Meira Paibi Secretary, New Checkon Bazar Women’s Association.
Malini Devi said that the CRPF deployed there, and the Kuki’s must have jointly set the fire.
Another woman added that the Kuki’s take advantage of the close proximity of their houses to those of the Meities and set the fire so that it catches the Meitei houses nearby. The state government has called for an Assembly session on 29th August to discuss restoration of peace, the Kuki’s can’t see this and execute their plans to disrupt the peace and tranquility prevailing in Imphal city after a long time.
Meanwhile, hundreds of women protested and attempted to destroy a Kuki-owned vehicle which the security forces were trying to save. With the burning of the houses, tension runs high in Checkon area.
Police had to fire tear gas shells to disperse the agitating women crowd.
