Curfew back in Manipur after unrest over murder

Imphal, June 7

The Manipur Government has imposed curfew in Jiribam district for an indefinite period following protests over the killing of a 59-year-old man by suspected militants, an official said on Friday.

The prohibitory orders were clamped on Thursday night after locals set a few abandoned structures on fire after the recovery of the body of Soibam Saratkumar Singh. The situation remained tense but calm on Friday morning after locals demonstrated over the killing of the man.

“There is likelihood of widespread disturbance to peace and public tranquillity or riot or an affray… because of unlawful activities of anti-social elements,” the official said, citing the orders issued by the Office of Jiribam District Magistrate.

The local administration also prohibited “assembly of five persons or more, which is likely to turn unlawful, carrying of firearms, sticks… and movement of any person outside their respective residences within the revenue jurisdiction of the district”.

Singh went missing after he had gone to his farm on Thursday morning and later his body was found with wounds made by a sharp object, a police officer said.

Locals had staged a protest in front of Jiribam police station, demanding that their licensed firearms taken from them in the wake of elections be returned to them after the completion of the polls. The administration appealed to the people to maintain peace in the district.

“Jiribam district is facing a difficult time in terms of law and order, public peace and tranquillity”, a notice said, adding that “an appeal is made to all sections of society…to maintain peace and calm and not succumb to any false information”.