Curfew has been imposed across Manipur’s valley districts on Monday after three people were shot dead and five others injured by armed men in Thoubal district’s Lilong area.
“Due to developing law and order conditions in the district and to prevent any untoward incidents and loss of life and property, and further as a precautionary measure, the curfew relaxation order dated December 31 stands cancelled and a full curfew is imposed in all areas of Imphal West district with immediate effect,” said an order issued by the districts magistrate.
Curfew was reimposed in Thoubal, Imphal East, Kakching and Bishnupur districts.
According to reports, the three individuals lost their lives in Lilong during an attack by unknown armed miscreants around 8:00 pm. Authorities are actively investigating the situation, and residents are urged to adhere to the curfew for their safety.
Unidentified gunmen arrived in camouflage attire in the Lilong Chingjao area, and opened fire targeting locals, officials were quoted by PTI as saying. Following the attack, enraged locals set three four-wheelers on fire.
Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh, in a video message, assured that the culprits would be tracked down.
“We do not take this incident lightly. Manipur police have been pressed into action to nab the culprits. I appeal to the people, particularly from Lilong, to refrain from resorting to any form of violence. I assure you we will take stringent actions against the culprits as per law. Please cooperate with the government,” he said.
Manipur Violence
Over 170 people were killed and 1,108 others injured in the ethnic strife that rocked Manipur in May 2023, according to police.
Ethnic violence broke out in Manipur on May 3, 2023, when a ‘Tribal Solidarity March’ was organised in the hill districts to protest against the Meitei community’s demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status.
Meiteis account for about 53 per cent of Manipur’s population and live mostly in the Imphal Valley, while tribals, which include Nagas and Kukis, constitute 40 per cent and reside mostly in the hill districts.
(With PTI inputs)
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