Amid ongoing protests and unrest in Imphal East, the district magistrate has issued an order partially relaxing curfew restrictions. According to the order, people in Imphal East are permitted to move outside their residences between 5 am and 11 am. This six-hour relaxation window comes after the administration had announced a “full curfew” in both Imphal East and Imphal West districts due to the precarious law and order situation following the killing of two teenagers.
The fresh order easing the curbs is applicable to all areas within Imphal East district. However, it specifies that protests, sit-in demonstrations, rallies, and large-scale movements of people would continue to remain prohibited during the relaxation period.
Imphal East and Imphal West have been facing renewed curfew restrictions for the past week as student groups and activists have been protesting the killing of Phijam Hemjit Singh and Luwangbi Linthoingambi Hijam. The two teenagers had gone missing over two months ago, allegedly abducted by militants. The protests escalated in some parts of the districts, resulting in at least 60 people being injured.
On September 26, Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh announced that Union Home Minister Amit Shah had assured him that those responsible for kidnapping and killing the two Manipuri youths would be arrested and punished. A team of officials from the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), led by the agency’s Special Director Ajay Bhatnagar, arrived in Manipur to initiate the investigation.
Chief Minister Singh emphasized the seriousness of the case, quoting Amit Shah as saying that it must be dealt with rigorously, and those responsible should face legal consequences. The central and state governments are fully committed to resolving the case and ensuring that justice is served.
The situation in Manipur has been tense since May of this year when ethnic clashes erupted in the northeastern state, resulting in over 175 fatalities and numerous injuries. The government is working to address the ongoing unrest and bring stability to the region.
