Manipur Government Eases Curfew Amid Ongoing Tensions

Curfew Relaxation in Manipur

On Tuesday, the government of Manipur announced the lifting of prohibitory measures in several districts, including Imphal West, Imphal East, Kakching, Thoubal, and Bishnupur, allowing residents to move freely from 5 am to 5 pm.

District magistrates issued separate directives permitting daytime movement, provided that no actions were taken to disturb the existing law and order.

However, gatherings of five or more individuals remain prohibited, and carrying sticks, stones, firearms, or explosives in public areas is still banned.

A curfew had been enforced on Saturday night in Bishnupur, with similar restrictions on gatherings implemented in Kakching, Thoubal, Imphal East, and Imphal West following the arrest of a member of the armed group Arambai Tenggol.

Additionally, internet services were suspended in these five districts, which are situated in the Meitei-dominated valley region.

Arambai Tenggol Ends Shutdown

The Arambai Tenggol group announced on Tuesday that it would lift a 10-day shutdown it had initiated to protest the detention of its leader, Asem Kanan Singh.

The spokesperson for the group, Robin Mangang, stated that the decision to suspend the shutdown was made to alleviate the hardships faced by the local population.

Singh, identified as the 'army chief' of Arambai Tenggol, was arrested by a team from the National Investigation Agency and Manipur Police on Saturday evening in Imphal West. This led to protests in the Kwakithel area, where hundreds attempted to prevent his transport.

In response, police fired shots to disperse the crowd.

On Sunday, the Central Bureau of Investigation took Singh into custody for his alleged involvement in criminal activities linked to the violence in Manipur earlier this year.

Protesters also set tires ablaze and obstructed roads in various parts of Imphal West, including Tiddim road and Uripok, demanding Singh's immediate release.

Mangang further stated that the group would pursue peaceful protests until their leader is released without conditions.

Authorities revealed that Singh had been a head constable before his termination in March due to alleged criminal activities, including involvement in cross-border arms smuggling.

Since May 2023, Manipur has experienced ethnic violence between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo-Hmar communities, resulting in over 260 fatalities and displacing more than 59,000 individuals. Violence has continued sporadically into 2024.

In February, President’s Rule was enacted following the resignation of Chief Minister N Biren Singh.