Imphal: The situation remains tense in trouble-hit Manipur after a series of drone attacks by Kuki terrorists on Meitei civilians and security forces. The current state of law and order has led to the imposition of curfew in Manipur’s Imphal East and Imphal West districts. The Bhartiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023’s Section 163 prohibitory orders limit people’s ability to leave their homes starting on September 1, 2024, and they last until further notice. On September 10, 2024, a curfew relaxation was previously granted, lasting from 5:00 AM to 10:00 PM. However, effective at 11:00 AM on September 10, 2024, this relaxation has been lifted.
“All previous orders issued on curfew relaxation has been cancelled until further instruction”, the new notice reads. Until further orders, the curfew is still in full effect in the Imphal East district. Curfew exemptions apply to people who work in vital services like health, electricity, PHED, the press and electronic media, and the court. Notwithstanding the limitations, moving is also permitted for public servants, power employees, gas station employees, travelers, and media representatives.
The area Magistrate of Thoubal, Ahanthem Subhash Singh, has enforced strong prohibitory orders throughout the area in response to growing security concerns. The Superintendent of Police’s report, which raised concerns about possible breaches of peace and immediate dangers to public safety, prompted the decision, which will take effect at noon today. The police report states that the actions of some anti-social individuals pose a serious risk of unrest and disturbance. In order to resolve this, the District Magistrate has implemented a ban on all Thoubal District inhabitants’ ability to leave their homes by invoking Section 163 of the BNSS, 2023. The purpose of this action is to protect public peace and stop any further escalation of violence.
Until further notice, the prohibitory orders will remain in force. Nonetheless, security personnel and necessities like energy, healthcare, and water supply are not subject to these limitations. It is encouraged that residents who need licences for emergencies or special occasions like weddings and funerals get in writing with the appropriate authorities first.
Meanwhile, Students who have been staging protests in Manipur’s Ima Market since September 9 have given the governor a 24-hour ultimatum, which expires at 1 pm today. The students had pushed for their requests to be met within 24 hours yesterday, September 9, and were waiting on a response to their charter of demands from Governor Lakshman Acharya. The students chose to remain in front of Raj Bhawan until their demand was met, but after some enraged demonstrators threw stones at the area, security officers had to disperse them. Later, the students staged an overnight demonstration at Ima Market, where they had previously set up shop. In the meantime, the students have declared that if the Governor doesn’t meet their deadline, which is at 1 pm, they would begin a more intense type of protest. In the meantime, stringent security measures are being put in place, and state and central forces have been stationed in the market’s surrounding locations. Police officers reportedly urged the demonstrators to leave Ima Market, but they reportedly refused.
