Manipur violence: School torched in Churachandpur; 1 killed in fresh violence

Manipur Horror: The Manipur government's decision to reopen schools encountered significant challenges, especially in violence-affected districts. The latest incident occurred on Saturday evening when miscreants set fire to a school building near the Churachandpur and Bishnupur border. This incident coincided with reports of gunfights between two groups in the region.

Amid escalating tensions, the gunfight continued throughout the night, finally subsiding on Sunday morning. Security personnel were deployed to restore order in the area, as confirmed by a senior police officer.

The targeted school, a residential institution, suffered extensive property damage estimated at Rs 1.5 crore. The destruction included books, furniture, and utensils. Since the outbreak of violence in the state on May 3, the campus had remained deserted. The watchman and his family had fled the area two weeks ago, fearing an attack.

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Thankfully, at the time of the incident, there were no occupants in the hostel located on the first floor of the building. The founder and owner of Children's Treasure High School, Lian Kho Thamg Vaiphei, stated that they had anticipated an attack due to several nearby houses being set ablaze.

The Churachandpur district has experienced severe disruptions in education, with schools being used as shelters for displaced people. The recent arson has added further complications to the prospect of reopening schools in vulnerable areas.

As a result, students are left yearning for peace to be restored so that they can resume their studies. A class 7 student expressed their longing, saying, "We miss our teachers, friends, and classes every day."

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