Union Minister of State for External Affairs and Education RK Ranjan, who is also an MP from the Inner Manipur parliamentary constituency, on Friday has stated that the law and order situation in Manipur is a total failure.
He was responding to a query about the burning of his house at Kongba Nandeibam Leikai in Imphal East district around 11 pm on Thursday.
Reacting to the burning of his house, RK Ranjan told the media at his New Delhi office that the state government was unable to maintain the law-and-order situation in the state despite the fact that the Central government has sent a lot of Central forces.
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It may be mentioned that security matters besides law and order is presently vested with Security Advisor Kuldiep Singh.
“I do not know how the state mechanism has failed,” RK Ranjan said, adding that he was shocked and he never expected such attitude and activities from his fellow citizens of the state.
"It is very sad to see what is happening in my home state. I will still continue to appeal for peace. Those indulging in this kind of violence are absolutely inhumane,” he said.
It was the second time the mob attacked his house. Earlier, on May 25, an angry mob had attacked and vandalised his house.
“The first time I convinced them and the security forces protected my house. For the past 40 years I have been working for the people and for Manipur. And today, I am preparing to bring peace,” Ranjan said and added that he was negotiating with his senior ministers and colleagues to bring back normalcy in the state.
ALSO READ: Strong mob sets ablaze Union minister RK Ranjan's house in Imphal
“Thankfully, nobody got injured last night at my Imphal home. The miscreants came with petrol bombs and damage has been done to the ground floor and first floor of my house," he said.
Protesting the killing of nine civilians at Khemenlok area on the intervening night of Tuesday and Wednesday, an irate mob blocked the roads at Kongba Bazar, Wangkhei, Bamol Leikai and New Checkon area on Thursday.
Then, an irate mob went towards Kongba Nandeibam Leikai, where RK Ranjan house is located, and set the MP’s house on fire.
It is reported that the family members of RK Ranjan were in Delhi at the time of burning of his house.
It is worth mentioning that this is the eighth instance of attacks on the houses of Manipur legislators or ministers following the eruption of the ethnic clash in the state.
Meanwhile, Imphal East Police have picked up around 15 persons suspected to be involved in the burning of the Union minister's residence although it is yet to be officially announced.
