Curfew Relaxed In Manipur For 3 Hours As People Stock Up Essentials: What We Know So Far

The total curfew prohibiting any person from stepping outside their homes was relaxed for a few hours in Manipur’s violence-hit Churachandpur district on Sunday morning to allow people to buy essential items like groceries and medicines, according to an official notification.

The curfew imposed under section 144 of the CrPC will be relaxed from 7 am to 10 am, the notification read. It was similarly relaxed from 3 pm to 5 pm on Saturday.

People were seen coming out in large numbers to buy food, medicines and other essential commodities during the curfew relaxation period from 7 am to 10 am in riot-affected Churachandpur town.

"With the law and order situation improving in Churachandpur district and after talks were held between the state government and various stakeholders, I'm pleased to share that the curfew will be partially relaxed as per the details shared below (sic)," Chief Minister N Biren Singh tweeted, sharing a copy of the official order.

The notification issued by Churachandpur district magistrate Sharath Chandra Arroju said, "Subsequent relaxations shall be reviewed and notified based on assessment of the prevailing law and order situation."

Life limped back to wary normalcy in Imphal Valley as shops and markets reopened and cars started plying the roads. The Army and Assam Rifles columns conducted a flag march through the town as soon as the curfew relaxation ended at 10 am.

What we know so far:

1. Violent clashes broke out in Manipur after a 'Tribal Solidarity March' was organised in the ten hill districts of the state to protest against the dominant Meitei community's demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status.

2. A curfew was imposed on May 3 following the violence between a section of protesting hill tribes and members of the majority Meitei community. At least 54 people have been killed and more than 9,000 people have been displaced.

3. Nearly 10,000 soldiers, para-military and central police forces have been deployed in the state and more brought in by road from Nagaland and by air using C17 Globemaster and AN 32 transport aircraft of the IAF from Assam. In all some 120-125 Army columns have been deployed in the entire riot-hit state.

4. On Saturday, Chief Minister N Biren Singh chaired an all-party meeting and said that peace committees will be formed in every assembly constituency to ensure peace initiatives are implemented at the grassroots level.

5. Singh also held a video conference with the senior officials of the state government, police and para-military forces to review the on-ground operations. Hundreds of people, mostly students, were reportedly stranded in Manipur amid the violence. 

6. On Thursday, the Manipur government issued a 'shoot at sight' order for "extreme cases" to contain spiralling the violence between tribals and the majority Meitei community.

7. Efforts were being made by other state governments to bring back stranded residents from the strife-torn state, while many took shelter in neighbouring Assam. A senior Mizoram official said that flights were being provided to evacuate its residents stranded in the neighbouring state but claimed that the Centre has turned down the request.  A defence statement said that 23,000 civilians from all communities have been rescued so far and were moved to military garrisons.

8. Violence first erupted last week ahead of the chief minister’s visit to Churachandpur district last week. Clashes were reignited in Torbung area of the district again on May 3 during the 'Tribal Solidarity March' organised by the All Tribal Student Union Manipur (ATSUM). 

9. Notably, the march was organised by hill tribes -- largely including Nagas and Kukis -- after the Manipur High Court asked the state government last month to send a recommendation to the Centre within four weeks on the demand for ST status by the Meitei community.

10. Meiteis account for about 53 per cent of Manipur's population and live mostly in the Imphal valley. The protesting tribals -- Nagas and Kukis -- constitute another 40 per cent of the population and live mostly in the hill districts.