Under-preparation Rath Yatra Chariot in Imphal fired at by unknown miscreants
Imphal, Manipur, India 
3 July, 2024
Case Summary
In Imphal, Manipur, a chariot being constructed for the upcoming Rath Yatra festival was attacked late night on July 4. Unknown assailants fired two rounds at the unfinished chariot around 12:30 am before fleeing the scene. The incident occurred near Sana Konung, where the chariot was parked. The attackers, arriving in a car from Advance Hospital's direction, shot at the chariot and then fled towards Palace Gate. No one was injured. The Imphal East Police were promptly informed and arrived to investigate. The Rath Yatra was scheduled for July 8, and the chariot was in its final stages of preparation. The motive behind the attack remains unclear.
Why it is Hate Crime ?
According to the case details, 'violence against religious structures or centres' is the sub-category under the core category 'attack on Hindu religious symbols' under which this case has been listed. In Hinduism, a religious structure is also considered divine. Hindus believe that not just the Deity but the religious structure itself is sacred. In this sub-category, we would document attacks against religious structures which are not consecrated temple spaces. Such religious spaces could be temporary in nature – for example – the religious spaces erected specifically for festivals like Durga Puja etc. This category would also document cases of attacks against religious centres. These spaces in their own right may not be ‘sacred’ per se, however, are often spaces where religious gurus live, religious teaching is imparted, or belong to religious institutions. Any attack against religious structures is a result of animosity towards the religion itself, which manifests itself through the religious spaces and therefore, such attacks are considered religiously motivated hate crimes. Religious centres are also manifestations of the religion, its teachings or gurus and therefore, attacks against such centres would be considered religiously motivated hate crimes. Such attacks on the Hindu religious structures and centres demonstrate the inherent Hindumisia that radical Muslims harbour inside them. For this reason, this case qualifies for inclusion in the hate tracker database. It is important to mention here that though the last update was that the miscreants were unknown, regardless, the action stemmed out of hatred against Hinduism and resulted in the desecration of the sacred temple and would therefore be considered a religiously motivated hate crime.
Case Status
Complaint filed
Perpetrators Details
Perpetrators
Unknown
Perpetrators Range
N/A
Perpetrators Gender
unknown
Sources 
