Imphal, September 21
Curfew was imposed in the entire Imphal valley on Thursday following violent protests for the release of five men, including a trained cadre of a banned terror outfit, who were arrested earlier this week on the charges of extortion.
Curfew was re-imposed after the Imphal valley witnessed protests by self-styled vigilante groups including ‘Meira Paibis’ who demanded the release of five men.
More than 10 people were injured on Thursday when security forces fired tear gas shells on protesters for trying to storm police stations and demanding the unconditional release of the five.
As a precautionary measure, the state government cancelled curfew relaxations in the twin districts of Imphal from 5 pm, officials said.
Responding to a call by six local clubs and Meira Paibis demanding the release of the five village volunteers, hundreds of protesters holding placards and shouting slogans tried to enter the Porompat police station in Imphal East and Singjamei police station and Kwakeithel police outpost in Imphal West district.
However, police and RAF personnel deployed at strategic positions fired several rounds of tear gas shells to disperse the crowd.
A protester, identified as Th Bimola at Porompat said, “We were left with no option but to court arrest as the government failed to release the five village volunteers. If such village volunteers are arrested, who will protect the Meitei villages in the periphery of the hills and the valley Kuki Zo militants.”