Lord Shiva temple partially damaged in Manipur arson attack

A Lord Shiva temple in Manipur's Senapati district was partially damaged after unknown assailants set it on fire in the early hours of September 25. Sources revealed that the temple was attacked twice within weeks, with the second attack resulting in a fire. CCTV footage captured a burning log being thrown inside the temple courtyard, leading to the damage. In another footage, believed to be from the first attack, a masked man is seen hiding behind a pillar before fleeing the scene.

Local residents and temple caretakers managed to extinguish the fire before it could spread further. The Naga Peoples' Organisation (NPO) and the Karong-Senapati Town Committee (KSTC) strongly condemned the arson, stating that Senapati is a peace-loving town where all religions are respected. They urged the police to apprehend the suspects swiftly to prevent any further attempts to disturb the peace.

Manipur Rajya Sabha MP Maharaja Sanajaoba Leishemba also condemned the attack, calling it a "barbaric act" that threatens secularism. He demanded that the culprits be brought to justice immediately. The local police have taken the incident seriously, recognizing it as an attempt to incite communal and ethnic tensions in the multi-ethnic district. However, they have yet to release a full statement on the matter.

Manipur has been grappling with ethnic violence since May 2023, with tensions between the Meitei community and the Kuki tribes. Over 220 people have lost their lives, and nearly 50,000 have been displaced. The latest attack on the temple threatens to reignite these tensions in a state still recovering from the recent unrest.