Calm Yet Tense Morning In Imphal After Night Of Clashes, Curfew Relaxed

In Manipur's Imphal valley, an atmosphere of uneasy calm prevailed on Friday morning following a night of violent clashes, including a thwarted attempt to assault the unoccupied ancestral residence of Chief Minister N Biren Singh. Authorities implemented a temporary relaxation of curfew in Imphal East and Imphal West districts from 5 am to 11 pm to facilitate essential purchases and access to medicines. However, the official order made it clear that this relaxation would not extend to any gatherings, large-scale movements, or sit-in protests of an unlawful nature, PTI reported.

On Thursday night, despite a significant security clampdown and curfew in the Imphal valley, a mob attempted to attack the Chief Minister's ancestral house. Security forces intervened, deploying tear gas to disperse the crowd and preventing them from reaching the residence, which was unoccupied at the time. Chief Minister N Biren Singh resides in a separate, heavily guarded official residence in the heart of the state's capital.

The clashes between security forces and protesters on Thursday night resulted in several injuries at various locations in the state capital. In Hatta Minuthong, Imphal East, a rally demanding justice for two students who had been killed turned violent when security personnel halted their progress. Numerous individuals sustained injuries and were subsequently admitted to a local hospital.

Further unrest occurred in Checkon, Imphal East, where a house was set ablaze late on Thursday night. Fire personnel were dispatched to extinguish the flames, according to officials. Additionally, protesters in Wangkhei, Khurai, and Kongba, all located in Imphal East district, obstructed roads by burning tires and employing iron pipes and boulders to restrict the movement of security forces.