IT News
Thoubal, April 21:
Tension flared in Arongthong Makhong under the Khangabok Assembly Constituency of Thoubal district on Monday morning after a mob vandalized a newly constructed house and nearby shops, allegedly over a land dispute. Police fired tear gas shells to control the situation and disperse the crowd.
The incident occurred around 9:30 am when a large group of people, reportedly from the Khangabok area, stormed the site and began damaging the newly constructed house and adjacent shops. The house is said to belong to Waikhom Somendro, 53, son of late W. Chaobhan. A police team rushed to the scene and used tear gas to bring the situation under control.
According to preliminary reports, the mob targeted the property over objections to ongoing construction activities along the riverbank road near the Arong River on the Khangabok side. Local residents claimed that the construction was causing obstruction and inconvenience to pedestrians and commuters using the road.
Residents of Khangabok alleged that they had previously warned the property owner not to proceed with the construction due to public inconvenience. However, when the construction continued despite the warnings, the crowd reportedly took matters into their own hands and vandalized the property.
On the other hand, the house owner claimed that the construction began only after mutual understanding was reached with local residents. He expressed shock at the sudden attack, stating that the mob action was unprovoked.
A team of senior police officials, including DIG Range II Jogeshchandra Haobijam (IPS) and Thoubal SP Shivanand Surve, visited the spot to assess the situation and ensure law and order was maintained.
No injuries or arrests were reported at the time of filing this report. Authorities are currently investigating the matter, and additional security personnel have been deployed in the area to prevent further escalation.
