Manipur on edge, curfew imposed in 2 districts, Net suspended for 5 days
Amid an escalation in violence in Manipur that led to widespread protests in various parts of the state on September 9, an indefinite curfew was clamped on Imphal East and West districts on Tuesday, while prohibitory orders under Section 163 (2) of the BNSS were imposed in Thoubal.
High-level meeting held in imphal
- 40 students hurt in clashes with security men while trying to march towards Raj Bhavan in Imphal seeking the DGP’s removal
- A high-level meeting of top security personnel held in Imphal to review the law and order situation
Rocket tails seized
- Tails of sophisticated rockets found after the recent drone and missile attacks in Manipur, a top police officer said
- Manipur Police dismissed claims of Lt Gen PC Nair, a retired DG of the Assam Rifles, that drones or rockets were not used in attacks
People have been barred from coming outside their houses. The state government also ordered suspension of the mobile Internet, broadband and VPN for five days (from 3 pm on September 10 to 3 pm on September 15) in Manipur. Meanwhile during the day, a high-level meeting of top security personnel was held in Imphal to review the law and order situation. No casualty had been reported from the state till the filing of this report.
Sources said top officials of the BSF, the Manipur Police and the Assam Rifles held discussions in the state capital to discuss measures to check the surge in the violence witnessed since September 1.
Nine persons have been killed and 15 injured with drones and rockets being used by extremists to attack civilians.
The curfew and prohibitory orders were imposed in parts of the state a day after student protests demanding the restoration of peace in the strife-torn state rocked the Imphal Valley. During the protests, even the heavily guarded Raj Bhavan was stoned by the protesters.
The Centre has directed the deployment of two fresh CRPF battalions comprising about 2,000 personnel for security duties in the state.
Meanwhile, with Chief Minister N Biren Singh having met Governor Lakshman Acharya twice in quick succession during the weekend, political observers say there is discontent among the Meitei BJP MLAs. Eighteen of them had accompanied him to the Raj Bhavan.
He had placed a slew of demands before the Governor. The key among these was seeking control of the Unified Command, which is currently governed by the Centre and is the main body governing the law and order situation in the state.
The political observers said the Chief Minister was learnt to have made the demand after consultation with his MLAs amid speculation that there was a rift within the ruling BJP MLAs over his leadership. Speculations are rife regarding the political developments in the troubled state with some quarters even hinting at the possibility of imposition of President’s Rule.
The Unified Command is headed by state security adviser Kuldiep Singh, a former Director General of the CRPF. He was appointed by the Centre in May last year.
The Unified Command coordinates between the central and state forces, and the local administration to ensure law and order.
