Curfew relaxed, Internet suspended in Manipur : The Tribune India

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Curfew relaxed, Internet suspended in Manipur

IMPHAL: Curfew was relaxed on Wednesday in riot-hit southern part of Manipur''s Churachandpur district to enable residents to buy essential commodities.

Curfew relaxed, Internet suspended in Manipur

Students from Manipur protesting against recent violence in Manipur at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi on Wednesday. PTI photo



Imphal, September 2

Curfew was relaxed on Wednesday in riot-hit southern part of Manipur's Churachandpur district to enable residents to buy essential commodities.

Authorities had also suspended Internet services from Tuesday evening check the spread of rumours aimed at causing trouble.

"Curfew was relaxed from 5 am so that people could buy essential commodities," Churachandpur District Magistrate Lunminthang Haokip said.

"There has been no report of fresh violence so far but we are keeping a close watch on the situation," he said.

Educational institutions, government establishments and shops in the district remained closed.

At least eight people have been killed and more than 30 injured after violence erupted on Monday evening after the Manipur government's adoption of three Bills — Protection of Manipur People Bill 2015, Manipur Land Revenue and Land Reforms (seventh amendment) Bill 2015, and Manipur Shops and Establishment (second amendment) Bill 2015.

Tribal civil society groups — All Tribal Students Union Manipur (ATSUM), Kuki Students Organisation (KSO) and All Naga Students Association Manipur (ANSAM) — opposed the Bills claiming they would give "outsiders" rights over tribal land. Tribal student organisations called a 12-hour shutdown in protest of the Bills.         

"The amendment of the Manipur Land Revenue and Land Reforms Act has snatched away the rights of the ethnic communities. We (tribal people) are not happy with the government, and especially with our elected legislators who remained tightlipped when the bill was passed," KSO spokesman Minlan Gangte said.

On Monday evening, a mob attacked residences of five Congress lawmakers, including that of Health and Family Welfare Minister Phungzathang Tonsing and Outer Manipur Lok Sabha member Thangsoi Baite. A mob also set ablaze a police station in Churachandpur town on Tuesday, leading to the death of three people after police opened fire in self-defence.

On the other hand, the Kuki Inpi Churachandpur, Hmar Inpui and Zomi Council have sought the Central government’s intervention.

Manipur government tried to allay fears about the three Bills.

Ashok Kumar, secretary to Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh, also said the amendment of Manipur Land Revenue and Land Reforms Act does not extend to the hill areas and does not alter the present status of tribal land.

"There seems to be misinterpretation and misunderstanding of the provisions of the bills leading to tragic incidents, causing tremendous losses including human lives," Kumar said. — IANS

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