Manipur: Curfew Relaxed Briefly in Imphal Districts Amidst Escalating Tensions

IMPHAL: In a bid to allow the local populace to access essential supplies, the Manipur government decided to temporarily ease the curfew in the Imphal East and West districts for a span of seven hours, commencing from 5 am on Friday. This measure aimed to facilitate the purchase of crucial items, including food and medicines, by the common citizens. The relaxation of the curfew comes in the wake of renewed outbreaks of violence across various regions of the ethnically conflicted state.

In response to the escalating unrest, local authorities had previously imposed a comprehensive curfew across the two districts as a precautionary strategy. This curfew encompassed the withdrawal of previously announced relaxations. However, in an effort to address the basic needs of the population, the curfew was temporarily lifted from 5 am to 12 pm on Friday. This window provided the general public with the opportunity to procure essential commodities, which had become increasingly difficult due to the prevailing curfew restrictions.

The directives for the curfew relaxation were issued by the district magistrates of both Imphal East and West. Their orders specifically cited the objective of allowing residents to obtain vital supplies, such as food and medicines, during the specified timeframe. This brief respite from the curfew was intended to ease the burdens faced by the citizens in acquiring essential items required for their daily sustenance.

Nonetheless, the situation in Manipur remained fraught with tension and violence. Reports indicated that clashes had erupted in various localities of the state, further exacerbating the already volatile environment. Army and RAF personnel were compelled to deploy tear gas shells in the Kangvai and Phougakchao areas of the Bishnupur district. These measures were implemented to deter processions that were attempting to reach a proposed burial site, thus violating the restrictions on public gatherings.

Tragically, the violence resulted in the injury of more than 25 individuals. In a separate incident, a Manipur Rifles policeman lost his life, while another person sustained injuries in a gunfight that transpired in the Senjam Chirang locality of the Imphal West district.

In an alarming turn of events, reports emerged detailing the looting of arms and ammunition from the outpost of the 2nd Indian Reserve Battalion situated in Naransena, Bishnupur. This incident underscored the gravity of the security challenges faced by the region, further contributing to the sense of instability and uncertainty prevalent in Manipur.

As tensions continued to grip the state, the temporary relaxation of the curfew in the Imphal East and West districts represented a delicate attempt by the government to balance the imperative of public welfare with the pressing need for maintaining law and order. The episode highlighted the intricate and multifaceted challenges faced by local authorities in regions characterized by longstanding ethnic strife and security concerns.

In conclusion, Manipur's Imphal East and West districts witnessed a brief relaxation of the curfew to enable residents to access essential goods. This measure was taken in the midst of escalating tensions and violence within the state. The delicate balance between public welfare and security challenges was evident in this decision, underscoring the complex dynamics at play in ethnically conflicted regions.

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