Curfew reimposed in Manipur’s Imphal | India News

NEW DELHI: Curfew has been reimposed after Imphal witnessed protests by self-styled vigilante groups including ‘Meira Paibis’ who demanded the release of five men.
Earlier, curfew was imposed in the entire Imphal following violent protests for the release of five men, including a trained cadre of a banned terror outfit, who were arrested earlier this week on the charges of extortion.
More than 10 people were injured on Thursday when security forces fired tear gas shells on protesters for trying to storm police stations and demanding the unconditional release of the five.
As a precautionary measure, the state government cancelled curfew relaxations in the twin districts of Imphal from 5pm, officials said.
In response to a plea from six local clubs and the Meira Paibis group, urging the release of five village volunteers, a multitude of protesters brandishing placards and chanting slogans attempted to gain entry into the Porompat police station in Imphal East, as well as the Singjamei police station and Kwakeithel police outpost in the Imphal West district.
However, law enforcement officers and RAF personnel stationed strategically, resorted to firing multiple rounds of tear gas shells to disperse the crowd.
One protester, identified as Th Bimola in Porompat, voiced, “We felt compelled to face arrest as the government did not heed our demand to release the five village volunteers. If these volunteers are detained, who will safeguard the Meitei villages in the vicinity of the hills and the valley from Kuki Zo militants.”
Similar endeavors to enter the Mayang Imphal police station in Imphal West district and the Andro police station in Imphal East district were also reported.
In light of the apprehension of five individuals, including a suspected member of a proscribed terrorist group, on charges of extortion in Manipur, the Manipur Police has once again cautioned that stringent action will be taken against anyone exploiting their uniform for personal motives.
According to officials, the five individuals were purportedly involved in extorting money from the general public and were found in possession of lethal weapons, including AK and Insas rifles, which were allegedly stolen from the police arsenal.
(With agency inputs)