Curfew In Manipur After Kukis Call For Shutdown Today To Protest Encounter Of 11 Suspected Militants

Imphal: In protest against the encounter of 11 suspected militants, the Kuki-Zo council in Manipur called for a “total shutdown” on Tuesday from 5.00am to 6.00pm. According to the Kuki-Zo council, these militants were ‘village volunteers; and thus they called for the shutdown in the honour of the victims. They also demanded justice through proper investigation into the killings.

Meanwhile, the district administration in Manipur’s Jiribam imposed a curfew on Monday as the Kuki Zo organizations called for complete shutdown, according to reports. But, the curfew would not be applicable for government agencies/functionaries and security forces involved in maintaining law and order and other essential services.

Written permission will also be needed in case of emergencies, marriages and funerals within the scheduled area. While imposing the curfew, the District Magistrate cited police report, expressing apprehensions regarding disturbance due to ‘unlawful activities of some anti-social elements.’

What caused to the encounter of the suspected militants?

Earlier, the suspected militants were killed in a fierce gunfight with security forces on Monday. It had been alleged that the insurgents were in camouflage uniforms, armed with weapons. The suspected militants had fired indiscriminately at a police station and an adjacent CRPF camp in Jiribam district, they said. Two CRPF personnel also sustained injuries during the exchange of fire at Borobekra.

Violence escalated in Manipur

Fresh violence was reported from several places in Imphal Valley after the incident. Armed groups from the conflicting ethnic groups exchanged fire, police said.

The hill state has been on the boil ever since May 3 last year. Clashes had erupted between the All Tribals Students Union (ATSU) and members of the Meitei community over a now-retracted High Court order recommending the state government to consider the inclusion of Hindu Meiteis as a Scheduled Tribe (ST).