Imphal Curfew Relaxed for Seven Hours

Guwahati: A day after a fresh incident of violence, the Manipur government on Friday relaxed the curfew in Imphal East and West districts for seven hours, starting from 5 am, to facilitate common people to purchase essential items.

In a fresh violence that rocked Manipur on Thursday, a police personnel was killed in Imphal West district, while arms and ammunition, including automatic weapons, were looted in Bishnupur after mobs ransacked at least three security outposts in the district on Thursday.

The deceased personnel of Manipur Rifle was identified as Tourangbam Rishikumar, 47, of Wangjing Lamding Mamang Leikai in Thoubal district. He had sustained a bullet injury in his head.

An official statement on Friday said that armed attackers and security forces exchanged fire in Koutruk, Haraothel, and Senjam Chirang areas. Two people, including one security personnel, were injured in the crossfire.

In Senjam Chirang in Imphal West, a Manipur Rifle personnel was killed after being shot in the head by a sniper. A village volunteer was also injured in the gun battle after suspected militants opened fire in Koutruk and Senjam Chirang from the nearby hill ranges.

Meanwhile, a mob looted arms and ammunition from the armory of the 2nd India Reserve Battalion (IRB) and three police outposts in Bishnupur district, the police said. Officials are yet to ascertain the number of weapons and ammunition taken away by the mob.

Informing that the situation was tense but under control, security sources said that most of the mob was led by women, which makes it highly challenging for the security forces to control them.

Security sources said that on many occasions central forces are also finding it very difficult to coordinate their operations with state police forces, as there have been instances when state police personnel refuse to cooperate with central forces.

A total of 129 checkpoints have been set up in both the hill and valley districts of Manipur. Around 1,047 people have been detained in connection with violations in different districts of the state, the police said. (EOM)