The curfew restrictions imposed in Manipurs capital Imphal have been partially relaxed. The relaxations were announced by the District Magistrate of Imphal East, Khumanthem Diana Devi, in an order issued on Thursday.As per the order issued by the district magistrate, the movement of people outside their residences would be permitted between 5 AM to 11 AM.This relaxation will however not apply to any kind of gathering or large-scale movement of people or sit-in-protests or rallies which is unlawful, the order said.Manipur | Imphal East District DM issues orders -Restriction of movement of persons outside their respective residences imposed in Imphal East is hereby relaxed from 5 am to 11 am on 29th September for all areas of the district. This relaxation shall, however, not apply to any… pic.twitter.com/TSD3EeeOC4— ANI (@ANI) September 28, 2023The order of the DMs office read, “Now, therefore, it is hereby informed to the general public that restriction of movement of persons outside their respective residences imposed in Imphal East is hereby relaxed from 5 AM to 11 AM on 29th September 2023 for all areas of the district”.Furthermore, the order added, “This relaxation shall, however, not apply to any gathering/large scale movement of persons/sit-in- protests/rally, etc. which is unlawful in nature”.The order read, “Further, all persons belonging to essential services such as Health, PHED, Municipal Officials/Staff, Power (MSPDCL/MSPCL), petrol pumps, CAF&PD, Media, functioning of Courts and to and fro movement of flight passengers to airport shall be exempted from further imposition of curfew”.Notably, restrictions on the movement of persons outside their respective residences in Imphal East were imposed on September 3, this year.Escalating tensionsImphal East and Imphal West have witnessed clashes in the past week after student groups and activists protested over the killing of Phijam Hemjit Singh and Luwangbi Linthoingambi Hijam, who had gone missing over two months ago after they were allegedly abducted by militants. The protests turned violent in several areas of the district, leading to the injury of 60 people, at least.
