Tensions flare in Manipur as students clash with police; curfew imposed
Manipur remained on the boil on Tuesday with an indefinite curfew being imposed in Imphal West and Imphal East and prohibitory orders under Section 163 (2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Suraksha Sanhita being imposed in Thoubal.
This action came a day after student protests demanding restoration of law and order in the state rocked Imphal, exposing chinks in the armour of chief minister N Biren Singh who continues to fire fight.
Biren Singh, who has handed over an ambitious wish list to the Centre including the transfer of the 12 member unified command control to him, is learnt to be losing support of the BJP MLAs with some having pressed upon the ruling party to consider President's Rule in the state.
Biren Singh has already met the state governor twice in the past four days with no peace in sight.
"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 total curfew in Imphal East district with immediate effect until further orders," an order issued by the district magistrate said.
In a separate direction district magistrate of Imphal West said, "In supersession of all earlier orders, 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.
Essential services will not fall under the purview of the curfew, the order said.
Fresh clamp down follows students' plans to escalate protests demanding the removal of DGP and security advisor to Manipur government for failure to control the situation.
At least seven people have been killed in the past week with rocket propelled drones in the state as Kuki insurgents have targetted Meitei dominated areas.
In Thoubal, prohibitory orders bar assembly of five or more persons.
Thoubal cops said one personnel was hit by a bullet fired from among protesting students in the district on Monday.
