IMPHAL: Violence-hit Manipur is slowly returning to normalcy, with curfews lifted in a few areas. However, mobile internet access will be banned until May 13. On the other side, the Manipur government has announced plans to construct new homes for families who have been forced to evacuate as a result of the violence.
The State government has previously announced ex-gratia payments of 5 lakh rupees to the kin of those killed in the mob violence and 2 lakh rupees to those who sustained serious injuries. The government will offer 2 lakh rupees to each family harmed by the violence.
The rescue of stranded persons is still ongoing, and security forces continue to monitor affected regions. Following the incident, the Manipur government has resolved to confer with all stakeholders before making a decision on the Meitei community's ST status.
Meanwhile, the summer holiday has been extended until the end of May by the Manipur State Education Department. Today, the public curfew in Imphal East and West districts has been relaxed from 05:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. With the improvement in law and order, several districts have gradually extended curfew relaxation hours.
Furthermore, amid ethnic tensions in Manipur, airplane ticket rates between Imphal and Kolkata and Imphal and Guwahati have been raised to Rs. 25,000 from Rs. 2,500/-. Airlines such as IndiGo and AirAsia have raised their fares in response to a surge in passenger demand.
The Supreme Court on Monday directed the Centre and the Manipur government to take the necessary steps to increase security and relief and rehabilitation efforts for those affected by ethnic violence in the north-eastern state, despite submissions that no untoward incidents had occurred in the previous two days.
The Apex Court was hearing a slew of petitions on the Manipur situation, including one from a ruling BJP MLA challenging the high court's order granting Scheduled Tribe status to the Meitei community and another from a tribal outfit seeking an SIT probe into the violence that rocked the north-eastern state last week.
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