In the wake of militant attacks and arson, the state government on Saturday extended the ban on internet services for five more days. The order issued by the home department said that the internet ban would be effective till 3 pm on June 15. Earlier the ban was extended till Saturday.
Meanwhile, the curfew was relaxed in most of the districts, particularly in Imphal East and Imphal West. The restrictions were relaxed from 5 am to 8 pm in Imphal. An earlier order said the curfew would be relaxed from 5 am to 6 pm.
In latest attack, three people were killed in a village in Imphal on Friday when a group of insurgents disguised as security personnel called them out of the homes and fired at them.
At least two people were injured in the firing incident that took place on Friday. According to officials, the insurgents belonged to the Meitei community and they approached villagers on the pretext of a combing operation.
The incident took place in Khoken village on the border of Kangpoki and Imphal West districts. After hearing gunshots, security forces on routine patrol of the village stepped in. However, the insurgents fled the scene by then.
Amid tensions, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Saturday met with Manipur CM N. Biren Singh to discuss the ongoing situation. “We highlighted the issues of the state concerning the violence. Himanta Biswa Sarma assured us he will work at his level best to restore peace in Manipur,” a senior BJP leader said.
Sarma also asserted that he will inform Prime Minister Narendra Modi about the situation. A total of 37,450 people are currently sheltered in 272 relief camps. The clashes between Meitei and Kuki tribes have so far claimed over 100 lives and some 10,000 army and para-military personnel had to be deployed to bring back normalcy in the northeastern state.
