New Delhi: A mob attacked a top officer of the Manipur Police and set a vehicle in his convoy ablaze on Monday night in the Kwakeithel area of Imphal West district. Police said so far 30 persons have been arrested and raids are on to nab others involved in the attack.The incident took place when K. Kabib, the Inspector General (Zone II) of Manipur Police, was on his way to Imphal on Tiddim Road along with his escort vehicles and personnel, Imphal Free Press reported. It also added that a cop was hit by a bullet in one of his legs when it was fired from the burning vehicle.The incident is a reflection of how violence continues to rock Manipur, nearly 70 days after the outbreak of ethnic conflict between the state’s two dominant communities.Taking to Twitter, the Manipur Police said, “The Manipur Police condemns the dastardly attack meted out against Shri Kabib K, IPS IGP (Z-II) and his escort personnel yesterday at Kwakeithel, Imphal West.”The state police also urged the “public not to indulge in such anti-social deeds”, adding that such violent acts will not be tolerated.“While the police are working round the clock to bring normalcy in the State, it is expected of the public to abide and co-operate with the police authorities. It is further appealed to the public that there should be no obstacle to the movement of security forces in carrying out their official duties. All lawful/ legal action will be taken up in case of any deviation and obstruction,” the police issued a warning.After the arrests, a large number of people thronged the gate of the duty magistrate located at the quarter of the High Court complex demanding the unconditional release of the arrested individuals. When they were produced before the court on Tuesday, the magistrate remanded 26 of them to police custody and released four of them on bail.In other incidents, as per Manipur Police’s press release, firing took place in the Torbung area of Bishnupur district near Kangvai where a policeman sustained pellet injuries and was rushed to a military hospital. On the other hand, two houses were torched in Phougakchao Mamang Leikai by unidentified miscreants, prompting the security team to retaliate, Manipur Police said.
