Supreme Court seeks a detailed status report from the Manipur government on the measures taken to curb ethnic violence in the state, steps taken for rehabilitation camps for homeless and violence-affected people, deployment of forces, and the law and order situation. Supreme Court posted the matter for hearing on July 10. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta appeared for the Centre and Manipur government and told the apex court that the situation in the state is improving, though slowly.
Tushar Mehta said that apart from civil police, Manipur rifles, companies of CAPF, 114 columns of army and Manipur Commandos are there. He requested counsel Manipur Tribal Forum to not give any communal angle of Christians like Christians or something as real human beings are being dealt with, as reported by the news agency ANI.
Earlier on Sunday, at least three "village volunteers" were killed and five others were injured in an exchange of fire with unidentified gunmen in state's Bishnupur district on Sunday, news agency PTI reported. According to police, the incident took place in Khoijumantabi village when the "village volunteers" were guarding the area in a makeshift bunker.
Meanwhile, the government on Sunday said curfew will be relaxed on July 3 from 5 am to 6 pm in all areas of Imphal West district.
Police said while two bodies were found initially, the third one was recovered later. Five others were injured in the shootout that lasted for several hours. A couple of them, who sustained serious injuries, were brought to a hospital in Imphal, police said.
Chief Minister N Biren Singh went to the spot to take stock of the situation and interacted with the locals.
Notably, United People's Front and Kuki National Organisation on Sunday announced lifting of blockade at Manipur’s Kangui in Kangpokpi on National Highway-2 with immediate effect. “Keeping in view of Union Home Minister Amit Shah's deep concern to restore peace and harmony in the State and alleviate the plight of people in general, United People's Front and Kuki National Organisation have decided to lift the blockade at Kangui (Kangpokpi) on NH2 with immediate effect to ensure uninterrupted supply of essential commodities in the State,” said the two organisations in joint statement.
“The decision was taken after wide ranging consultations with Civil Society Organisations, village chiefs, youth and women leaders on several occasions,” said UPF spokesperson Aaron Kipgen and KNO Spokesperson Seilen Haokip in the statement.
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