Curfew has been imposed in several districts of Manipur, including Imphal West, Bishnupur, Jiribam and Churachandpur, prohibiting the movement of any person outside their respective residences until further notice as violence broke out at several places of the districts
Cases of violence reportedly took place after the ‘Tribal Solidarity March against Meetei/Meitei ST Demand’ called by the All Tribal Student Union, Manipur (ATSUM) was carried out in the hill districts of the state on Wednesday.
IFP Churachandpur correspondent reported that around 12 noon, three Forest Beat houses were vandalised by miscreants, each at Muallum, Mualtam and Saikot. The files and office furniture of at least two Forest beat houses were burned by miscreants at Bungmual of Churachandpur sub division and Singngat of Singngat sub division.
Around 2 pm, after the solidarity march was over and the crowd dispersed, a rumour circulated that participants of the rally were attacked and miscreants attempted to burn the Anglo Kuki war memorial gate. A confrontation resulted between communities at Torbung and Kangvai area which led to arson and violence. Police reportedly opened fire to control the situation.
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There is no exact figure of casualties resulting from the incident, However, at least six persons were injured and treated at Churachandpur District Hospital, sources said.
An order issued by Imphal West district magistrate Th Kirankumar stated that as per the police report vide letter no. 6/14/SP-IW/2023/2455 dated May 3, 2023, of Imphal West superintendent of police (SP), that there is a likelihood of imminent danger to human lives and properties that will ultimately result in the breach of peace and public tranquillity or a riot, or an affray in the area which is described in the schedule given below, because of the unlawful activities of some anti-social elements for the furtherance of their evil designs.
As there is an emergency and circumstances do not permit serving due notice upon the public, this order is passed ex-parte under Sub-section 2 of Section 144 of CrPC 1973 and is directed to the public in general, it continued.
Therefore, the Imphal West district magistrate in the exercise of the powers conferred under sub-section 2 of section 144 of Cr.P.C. 1973 prohibits the movement of any person outside their respective residences from 7 pm of Wednesday until further orders, it announced.
This order shall not apply to the government agencies involved in the enforcement of law and order and other essential services, it mentioned.
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In case of emergencies and for persons who want to take out a procession for marriage, funeral etc. within the scheduled area, applications may be made to the district magistrate or to the Imphal West SP for permission and they shall not take out procession until the written permission is obtained from authorities, it added.
An order issued by the Bishnupur district deputy commissioner Lourembam Bikram in the exercise of the power conferred under sub-section 2 of section 144 of Cr.P.C. 1973 prohibits the assembly of five or more persons, which is likely to turn unlawful, carrying of sticks, stones, firearms without a valid license, weapons or objects of any description, which can be used as offensive weapons.
The prohibition has been imposed with immediate effect at the whole revenue jurisdiction of Bishnupur district from 6 pm on Wednesday and it shall not apply to government agencies involved in the enforcement of law and order and the maintenance of essential services, it continued.
This order is directed to the general public and as the circumstances do not admit of the serving in due time of a notice upon the person against whom the order is directed, this order is passed ex-parte, it added.
An order issued by Jiribam district magistrate W Malemnganba Chenglei stated that the district magistrate in the exercise of the power conferred under sub-section 2 of section 144 of Cr.P.C. 1973 do hereby prohibit the movement of any person outside their respective residences from 7 pm of Wednesday until further orders. This order shall not apply to the government agencies involved in the enforcement of law and order and other essential services, it mentioned.
In case of emergencies and for persons who want to take out a procession for marriage, funeral etc. within the scheduled area, applications may be made to the undersigned or to the Jiribam district SP for permission and they shall not take out a procession until the written permission is obtained from the authorities, it informed.
An order issued by Churachandpur district magistrate Sharath Chandra Arroju stated that the district magistrate in exercise of the powers conferred under sub-section 2 of section 144 of Cr. PC. 1973, imposed a total public curfew prohibiting the movement of any person outside their respective residences, with immediate effect and until further orders in the whole areas under the revenue jurisdiction of Churachandpur district, particularly Kangvai, Tuibong and Churachandpur sub-divisions.
The order is directed to the general public and as the circumstances do not permit the serving in due time of a notice upon the person against whom the order is directed, this order is passed ex-parte, it continued.
The order does not apply to the government agencies involved in the enforcement of law and order and maintenance of essential services, it added.
