NEWS

Imphal under indefinite night curfew

By G Vinayak in Guwahati
January 17, 2003 23:13 IST
A rattled Ibobi Singh government on Friday imposed a 12-hour curfew starting 6 pm everyday, until further notice, in the tense Imphal town in Manipur.

Official sources said the curfew was imposed following reports of likely breaches of peace, destruction of property and danger to human lives by anti-social elements in municipal areas of Imphal East and West districts.

Though no meeting or procession has been scheduled, police and security forces were deployed at all vulnerable points and entry points including Sanjenthong, Konung Mamang, Market Complex, Yaiskul, Sagolband and Maharani Thong areas as a precautionary measure.

Tension ran high after Thursday's torchlight rallies in Imphal with the police barricading entry points into the city. According to official sources, over 20 persons including two India Reserve Battalion men were injured during mob violence that broke out during the rally.

Social organisations demanded that the Centre clarify its stand on the territorial integrity of Manipur in the backdrop of the 'Greater Nagaland' demand during the talks between the Centre and the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (Isak-Muivah)

in New Delhi.

Manipur Ethno Heritage Council, in a statement, warned against 'a one-sided decision' and said people were apprehensive of the outcome of the talks.

The Patsoi Kendra Development Council, a local organisation, issued a statement demanding MLAs and MPs in Manipur to pressurise the Centre to clarify its stand on the protection of the state's territory.

Meanwhile, in a special meeting chaired by Chief Minister Ibobi Singh, legislators assured the people that the territorial integrity of the state would be protected 'at any cost'.

Singh said a special session of the assembly would be convened soon to discuss the situation arising out of the current Naga talks and asked the people to maintain peace and communal harmony.

With inputs from PTI

The Naga Peace process: Complete Coverage

More reports from Manipur

G Vinayak in Guwahati

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