In yet another development into the Manipur row, the state government has decided to extend the curfew relaxation period by one hour in Imphal East and West districts as the situation of law and order sees an improvement in the violence-hit state, an official statement said. The curfew relaxation period in the twin Imphal districts was now from 5 am to 8 pm. Separate orders were issued by the office of the district magistrates of the two districts that said, "There is a considerable improvement in law and order and there is a need to relax the restriction of movement to facilitate the general public to purchase essential items including medicines and food items," reported news agency PTI.
The curfew relaxation period in other valley districts of Thoubal, Kakching and Bishnupur, however, remained unchanged viz. they stayed from 5 am to 5 pm.
Manipur Police Control Room also issued a press release in which it said that the "situation in the state was still volatile and tense but under control" and that "security forces conducted search operations in the vulnerable and fringe areas of the state".
Meanwhile, Kom Union Manipur president Serto Ahao Kom (45 years old) was physically assaulted by militants near Churachandpur's Chingphei village on late Tuesday. He was admitted to a hospital in Imphal after the violence. While talking to the media, Kom said that the militants accused him of having links with Meitei bodies such as Arambai Tengol, Meitei Leepun and COCOMI, PTI reported.
The first clash in Manipur broke out on May 3 after a 'Tribal Solidarity March' was organised in the hill districts to protest against the Meitei community's demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status. Since then to now, more than 160 people have lost their lives in the ethnic clashes.
According to PTI, Meiteis constitute about 53 per cent of Manipur's population and live mostly in the Imphal Valley. The tribals viz. Nagas and Kukis constitute little over 40 per cent and reside in the hill districts.