Amid the ongoing violence in Manipur, the authorities have imposed a curfew in three districts of the northeastern state. An indefinite curfew has been imposed in Imphal East and West districts, restricting residents from leaving their homes as authorities seek to maintain public order. Additionally, prohibitory orders under Section 163 (2) of the BNSS have been enforced in Thoubal district. These measures have been taken to prevent any escalation of tensions and ensure the safety of the public in these regions.
"Due to the developing law and order situation in the district, earlier orders of curfew relaxation stand cancelled with immediate effect from 11 am of September 10. Hence, there is a total curfew in Imphal East district with immediate effect until further orders," an order issued by the district magistrate said. Another order issued by the district magistrate of Imphal West said, "In supersession of all earlier orders, the curfew relaxation period for September 10 is hereby lifted with effect from 11 am of today. "Restriction on the movement of people outside their respective residences was lifted from September 1 last year," it said.
Curfew amid students' protest
The earlier curfew relaxation in Imphal East and West districts, which allowed movement from 5 am to 10 pm on September 10, has been revoked following the latest order. Despite the tightened curfew, essential services such as media, electricity, courts, and healthcare are exempted from the restrictions. The curfew escalation comes as students plan to intensify their protests, demanding the removal of the Director General of Police (DGP) and the state's security advisor, citing their alleged failure to handle the law and order situation effectively.
In Thoubal district, prohibitory orders under Section 163 (2) of the BNSS prevent gatherings of five or more people. This action follows a violent incident on Monday where a police personnel was injured by a bullet reportedly fired from among the protesting students. The authorities have implemented these measures to maintain control and prevent further unrest in the region.
Students staged protests
Meanwhile, hundreds of students from various schools and colleges spent the night at camps set up at Khwairamband Women Market in Imphal. The students, in their uniforms, were helped by women shopkeepers to set up camps at the market. Thousands of students protested in front of the Manipur Secretariat and Raj Bhavan on Monday, demanding action against those behind the recent drone and missile attacks, and calling for the protection of the state's "territorial and administrative integrity".
Manipur violence
It should be mentioned here that the northeastern state has been rocked by ethnic violence since May last year when a 'Tribal Solidarity March' was organised in the hill districts to protest against the majority Meitei community's demand for ST status. Meiteis account for about 53 per cent of Manipur’s population and live mostly in the Imphal valley, while tribals, including Nagas and Kukis, constitute 40 per cent and reside mostly in the hill districts. More than 200 people have been killed and several hundreds injured in it so far.
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