The Manipur government on Saturday day shortened the curfew relaxation hours in all areas in Imphal East, Imphal West, Thoubal and Bishnupur districts from 5 am to 12 noon for Sunday, citing the developing law and order in the districts.
Earlier on Friday, respective district magistrates of Imphal West, Imphal East and other valley districts had announced that the curfew will be lifted for Saturday from 5 am to 4 pm.
The latest order issued by District Magistrate, Imphal East district, Khumanthem Diana Devi on Saturday informed the public that the restriction of movement of persons outside their respective residences imposed in the district has been relaxed from 5 am till 12 noon for Sunday for all areas of the district.
This relaxation will, however, not apply to any gathering/large-scale movement of persons/sit-in-protests/rally etc. which is u lawful in nature, it stated.
It further mentioned that all persons belonging to essential services such as Health, PHED, CAF&PD, Municipal officials/Staff, Power (MSPDCL/MSPCL), Petrol Pumps, media, functioning of Courts and to and fro movement of flight passengers to airport will be exempted from further imposition of curfew.
It added that the office of the District Magistrate had issued prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023 restricting movement of persons outside their respective residences since September 1 vide Cril. Misc. Case No. 5 of 2024.
Meanwhile, Additional District Magistrate of Imphal West district, K Jadumani Singh, also issued an order stating that restriction of movement of general public outside their residences is lifted from 5 am till 12 noon for Sunday in all areas of the district.
The relaxation was made in view of the developing law and orders in the district as well as to facilitate the general public in purchasing essential items including medicines and food, it asserted. The order further said that the relaxation will not include any gathering/sit-in-protest/rally etc. without obtaining approval through competent authority.
It mentioned that movement of persons belonging to essential services such as Health, Electricity, CAF&PD, PHED, Telecom and Banking, Petrol Pumps, 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 will be exempted from the imposition of curfew after the expiry of the said period of the relaxation.
The statement also said that the office of the District Magistrate vide Cril. Misc. Case No. 4 of 2024 dated August 31 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.
The state government has also relaxed curfew imposed in Thoubal district from 5 am to 12 noon for Sunday.
Thoubal District Magistrate, Ahanthem Subhash Singh, in an order, prohibited the assembly of five or more persons without the approval of competent authority and carrying of sticks, stones, firearms without a valid licence, weapons or objects of any description, which can be used as offensive weapons.
There is a necessity to relax the restriction of movement to facilitate the public to purchase essential items including medicines and food items, etc., it stated.
It mentioned that all persons belonging to essential services such as Health, PHED,CAF and PD, municipal officials/Staff, Power (MSPDCL/MSPCL), petrol pumps, media, print and electronic media, functioning of courts and to and fro movement of flight passengers to airport will be exempted from further Imposition of the prohibition after the expiry of the relaxation mentioned.
Curfew imposed in Bishnupur district vide order dated September 3 has also been lifted from 5 am till 12 noon in all parts of the district with conditions.
An order issued by District Magistrate/DC, Bishnupur, Manipur, Lourembam Bikram stated that no person shall carry any arms of any kind during the period of relaxation for inciting violence such as sticks, stones, and firearms without a valid License, weapons, or objects of any description, which can be used as offensive weapons.
It said that shops and other retail outlets are allowed to open during the period of relaxation and that all persons shall effectively abide by the relaxation schedule.
No extension is given and valid for any person and all attempts to delay shall be treated as violative of the curfew, it maintained. It asserted that violation or attempt of violation of any kind shall be treated as per government instructions and as applicable per law.
It added that all persons belonging to essential services such as the Health, PHED, MSPDCL officials/staff of Education department, Officials/Staffs Municipal Councils and Media persons will be exempted from further Imposition of curfew after the expiry of said period of relaxation, it added.
Earlier in the day, the state government shortened the curfew relaxation period in Imphal East and Imphal West District to 2 pm with immediate effect, due to the developing law and order situation in both the districts.
