- By Nidhi Giri
- Sat, 16 Nov 2024 06:19 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Manipur Violence: Authorities in Imphal West District have re-imposed a curfew starting at 4:30 am on Saturday for an indefinite period after protesters stormed the residences of two ministers and three MLAs in the district, demanding justice for the murder of three persons in Jiribam district, police said. The government has also suspended internet services in the district as the condition worsens. A temporary suspension would curb internet and mobile data services, broadband and VPNs in Imphal West, Imphal East, Bishnupur, Thoubal, Kakching-Kangpokpi and Churachandpur for two days.
Earlier, the authorities had relaxed the curfew from 5:00 am to 8:00 pm on November 16, as per an order dated November 15. However, this relaxation order now stands cancelled with immediate effect.
Individuals involved in essential services, including healthcare, will be exempt from the curfew.
An order issued by Th Kirankumar, District Magistrate, Imphal West District, on Saturday stated: "Now, due to the developing law and order situation in the district, the above-mentioned curfew relaxation order stands cancelled with immediate effect, i.e., from 4:30 pm on November 16, 2024. Total curfew is imposed with effect from 4:30 pm on November 16, 2024, until further orders."
"All persons involved in essential services such as health, electricity, CAF & PD, PHED, petrol pumps, municipality, press and electronic media, functioning of courts, and to-and-fro movement of flight passengers to the airport, as well as contractors/workers with valid Airport Entry Permit (AEP) cards, shall be exempted from the curfew," the order further stated.
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Violent Protests Rock Manipur
A mob stormed the residence of Health and Family Welfare Minister Sapam Ranjan in Lamphel Sanakeithel area on Saturday, a senior officer said.
Lamphel Sanakeithel Development Authority's representative David told reporters, "Sapam assured us that the issues related to the killing of three persons will be discussed at a cabinet meeting and that the minister will tender his resignation if the government fails to honour the sentiment of the public."
Protesters also stormed the house of Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution Minister L Susindro Singh, another senior officer said.
Agitators in Sagolband area of Imphal West district gathered in front of the residence of BJP legislator RK Imo, who is also the son-in-law of Chief Minister N Biren Singh, and raised slogans demanding an "appropriate response from the government" over the killing of three persons and urging the authorities to "arrest the culprits within 24 hours".
Protesters, who had come to meet Keishamthong constituency's independent legislator Sapam Nishikanta Singh at his residence at Tiddim Road, targeted the office building of a local newspaper owned by him after they were told that the legislator was not present in the state, a senior officer said.
The mob destroyed some temporary structures in front of the office building, he claimed.
Three bodies, suspected to be of six missing people from Jiribam district, were found near the confluence of the Jiri and Barak rivers along the Manipur-Assam border on Friday night. The bodies of a woman and two children were found about 16 km from Borobekra in Jiribam district, close to the location where the six people went missing on Monday.
(With Agency Inputs)