Houses of Manipur minister, two MLAs torched

Imphal, Aug 31: The residences of a minister in the Manipur government and two MLAs were set ablaze this evening in Churachandpur district.

The houses belonged to Phungzaphang Tonsimg, Minister in charge of Family Welfare, and MLAs Manga Vaiphei from Henglep constituency and Vungzagin Valte from Thanlom constituency, police said.

Three tribal student organisations, who called a 12-hour bandh in the hill districts to protest against the passing of some bills in the Manipur Assembly today, were suspected to be behind the arsoning, the police said.

Three bills were passed in the Assembly to protect the indigenous people of Manipur. They are The Protection of Manipur People Bill, 2015, The Manipur Land Revenue and Land Reforms (Seventh amendment) Bill, 2015 and The Manipur Shops and Establishments (Second Amendment) Bill, 2015.

PTI