Here in Manipur, affected by ethnic conflict, a mob set fire to at least two vacant houses on Thursday, spreading further tension in the area. Security forces used force to disperse the crowd at New Chacon in Imphal and tear gas shells were fired at the crowd. There is no news of any casualty in this incident of arson. This is because the houses that were set on fire were empty. After the caste violence started in the state last month, the people of those houses had fled from there. The incident took place at a time when Army and Assam Rifles personnel have intensified their operations following the escalation of violence in the state.