Imphal: The Manipur government on Tuesday restored the mobile Internet services after three day of suspension, even as the state government announced imposition of curfew in two more districts of Tengnoupal and Thoubal district. Three districts of Churachandpur, Bishnupur and Imphal West are already under Section 144 for the last few days.
On the other hand indefinite economic blockade in the hill districts imposed by the All Tribal Students’ Union Manipur (ATSUM) continued on Tuesday.
A statement of the ATSUM on Tuesday night said that the emergency meeting of the organisation and ATSUM Federating Units held on Tuesday and denounced the agreement signed between the Manipur Government, Hill Areas Committee and ATSUM, ANSAM.
Earlier, according to the state government officials, the ATSUM, which called the “economic blockade” on Friday, demanding the Manipur (Hill Areas) Autonomous District Council (Amendment) Bill, 2021 be moved in the Assembly to provide more administrative powers and autonomy to the tribal bodies, have called off their stir.
Over 700 vehicles were stranded till Tuesday morning along the National Highway-2, which connects Manipur with the rest of the country by road, via Nagaland.
Agency reports said security forces escorted 510 goods-laden vehicles to move to their destinations on Monday.
The government released all five arrested ATSUM leaders, who were arrested on August 2 and sent to 15-day judicial custody by the Chief Judicial Magistrate, Imphal West.
Meanwhile, District Magistrate, Tengnoupal, and District Magistrate, Thoubal, in orders issued separately on August 7, 2022, have imposed Section 144 of CrPC in “the whole area situated within the revenue district of Tengnoupal and Thoubal respectively.
As per the order, assembly of five or more persons which is likely to turn unlawful, carrying of sticks, stones, firearms, and/or weapons of any description objects which can be used as an offensive weapon is strictly prohibited.
The order further states that any person or persons who want to take out any procession involving five or more persons on account of socio-political, customary, religious objectives or for entertainment should apply for permission to the DC Imphal West. No procession should be taken out without obtaining the required permission.
Agencies involved in the enforcement of law and order and maintenance of essential services are exempt from this order.
