The Manipur government has reimposed curfew within the jurisdiction of Imphal under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 from Sunday September 1 onwards.
The latest orders issued by Additional District Magistrate, Imphal West district, Shamim Ahmad Shah on Saturday informed that restriction of movement of the general public outside their residences has been lifted from 7 am to 10 pm for all areas of Imphal West district for Sunday.
It stated that the move was taken due to the development of law and order in the district and there is need to relax the restriction of movement to facilitate the general public to purchase the essential items including medicines and food items. It maintained that the relaxation will not include any gathering/sit-in-protest/rally etc. without obtaining approval through competent authority.
However, movement of persons belonging to essential services such as Health, Electricity, PHED, Petrol Pumps, Schools/Colleges, Municipality, Press and Electronic media, functioning of Courts and to and fro movement of flight passengers to airport and Contractor/Worker with valid Airport Entry Permit (AEP) Card shall be exempted from the imposition of curfew after the expiry of the said period of the relaxation, it added.
It mentioned that the Office of the District Magistrate vide Cril. Misc. Case No 4 of 2024 dated August, 31, 2024 had issued prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 for restriction of the movement of any person outside their respective residences with effect from September 1 and until further orders.
Curfew was initially imposed starting from 7 am on Sunday, but it was relaxed after fresh inputs on law and order and it will come into force from 10 pm to 7 am of next morning every day till a fresh order is issued. People have been advised to remain indoors and not venture out of home during curfew hours imposed under the new Act.
Prior to the said curfew relaxation order, District Magistrate, Imphal West District, Th Kirankumar had issued another order on Saturday prohibiting the movement of any person outside their respective residences and above any other acts/activities that could disturb the prevailing law and order in the whole area situated within the Revenue District of Imphal West from 7 am of Sunday until further orders.
The order was issued under Section 144 of the code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 in view of Superintendent of Police, Imphal West vide letter No. 6/14/SP-1W/2024/11387 dated August 28 stating that there is apprehension regarding likelihood of serious breach of peace, disturbance to the public-tranquility or riot, or an affray in the area and grave danger to human lives and properties because of the unlawful activities of some anti-social elements, thereby requesting to issue/extand prohibitory orders under sub-section (2) of Section 163 BNSS, 2023 to the whole area situated within revenue jurisdiction of Imphal West District, Manipur with immediate effect, it stated.
The statement asserted that such disturbances may result in serious breach of peace, public tranquility and danger to human lives and properties. The order will not apply to the government agencies involved in the enforcement of law and order and other essential services, it mentioned.
In case of emergencies and for persons who want to take out procession for marriage, funeral etc. within the scheduled area, application(s) may be made to the undersigned or to the Superintendent of Police, Imphal West for permission and they shall not take out procession until the written permission is obtained from authorities, it stated.
The order is issued in exercise of the powers conferred under Sub-section I of Section 163 BNSS, 2023 and in continuation of Prohibitory Orders in Cril. Misc Case No. 3 of 2024 dated July 1, it noted. It is passed ex-parte under Sub-section (2) of Section 163 BNSS, 2023 and is directed to the general public, it added.
