In fresh violence in Manipur, two houses were torched by a mob in Imphal East district after two armed miscreants forced people to shut their shops on Monday afternoon, police officials said.

However, no casualty was reported due to the arson.

The mob beat up one of the miscreants while the other managed to flee. The two were later taken into custody. Locals protested the incident by burning tyres on the road.

Armymen deployed in the area who rushed to the scene used force and fired teargas shells to disperse the mob resulting in minor injuries to a few people.

The Indian Army informed on Twitter that three suspects had been apprehended along with two weapons. “Responding to inputs of likely clash on outskirts of Imphal #Manipur today morning, Army & Assam Rifles columns moved in time & situation was brought under control.3 suspects apprehended &2 weapons recovered.Situation peaceful,” it stated.

Following the incident, curfew hours in Imphal East district which had earlier been relaxed were tightened.

Manipur government had on Sunday extended the suspension of internet in the state for another five days citing that there were still reports of incidents such as arson. It stated that there was apprehension that anti-social elements might use social media to spread hate, causing serious repercussions.

Internet has been curbed in Manipur since 3 May 2023.

Read more: Internet ban affects normal life in strife-torn Manipur