A chariot being constructed for the upcoming Rath Yatra festival was attacked in Manipur capital Imphal on Thursday-Friday night. Unknown miscreants fired at the unfinished chariot at around 12.30 am and then fled from the scene.
As per reports, the incident took place near the Sana Konung in Imphal, where the Chariot was parked. The attackers arrived in a car from the direction of Advance Hospital and fired two rounds at the chariot. The attackers then quickly fled towards the Palace Gate. Nobody was injured in the firing.
Unknown armed miscreants attacked a chariot being prepared for the upcoming Ratha Yatra festival in Imphal, Manipur, early on July 5.
— India Today NE (@IndiaTodayNE) July 5, 2024
The incident occurred around 12:30 am near the crossing of Sana Konung.#Manipur #ManipurViolence #RathYatra #Firing pic.twitter.com/WxoH1oManj
The Imphal East Police were immediately informed and cops arrived at the scene to investigate the matter.
The Rath Yatra is scheduled for 8 July, and the Chariot was being given final touches for the festival. The motive behind the attack remains unclear.
The incident took place amid continued tension in the state after the last year’s violence and ongoing debate whether the Rath Yatra should be celebrated in the state. Last year the Rath Yatra procession was cancelled amid the violence and only ritual ceremonies were performed.
