Public Curfew Did Not Stop Vehicle Movements In Imphal; Curfew To Relax From 5 AM To 9 PM

Newmai News Network

Imphal: Internet ban in the entire jurisdiction of Manipur, including Mobile data will be lifted from today, chief minister N Biren has said.

Manipur government has been extending the suspension of internet services for for months, 144 days, since May 3, 2023, ever since the ethnic violence between the Meetei/Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities erupted in the state.

In all of the government internet ban order was cited, “apprehension that some anti-social elements might use social media extensively for transmission of images, hate speech and hate video messages, inciting the passions of the public which might have serious repercussions on the law and order situation in Manipur.”

Must read | Internet ban (including Mobile data) to be lifted in Manipur: CM N Biren

The ethnic conflict in Manipur has killed over 100 people from both the Meitei and Kuki-Zomi communities and displaced over 60,000 in Manipur.
Must read: https://ukhrultimes.com/manipur-govt-extends-internet-ban-till-june-30-record-53-days-and-counting/

Even though the public curfew did not relax for the day on Friday, normal life across the five valley districts was not largely affected.

In the backdrop of intensified mass protests demanding the unconditional release of the five “village defence volunteers” arrested by the police in the last few days coupled with the scheduled production of them in the court today, the district administrations of Imphal East and Imphal West did not relax the curfew for the day.

Related | Five persons arrested in Imphal with sophisticated weapons granted bail: one re-arrested

However, there was no shadow of a curfew across the streets of Imphal. A good number of vehicles, both private and commercial, plied the roads.

Most of the shops and other business establishments at major markets in Imphal remained closed for the day.

Meanwhile, the curfew will be relaxed from 5 am to 9 pm on Saturday (September 23) in order to facilitate the general public to purchase essential items including medicines and food supplies in both the districts of Imphal West and Imphal East.

Also Read | Indian Parliament Passes Landmark Women’s Reservation Bill; to reserve 33% Seats in LS

One of the orders issued by the Imphal East district magistrate, however, stated the relaxation shall not apply to any gathering or large-scale movement of persons, sit-in-protest, rally etc. without obtaining permission from the competent authority.