Newmai News Network
Imphal | February 13
Life in Imphal returned to normalcy on Wednesday afternoon with the suspension of all kinds of agitations against Citizenship (Amendment) Bill 2016 coupled with lifting of the curfew. The normalcy in the turmoil-ridden state capital in the wake of protest against Citizenship (Amendment) Bill 2016 has returned after the news of adjournment of Rajya Sabha session sine die without placing the contentious Bill on Wednesday.
Before the adjournment of the Rajya Sabha, people were on high alert if the Bill is introduced for passage in the Rajya Sabha. Earlier in the forenoon, defying the curfew that clamped in the twin Imphal districts, people were on the roads in their respective localities and staged "On road mass protest" responding to the call of the Manipur People against Citizenship (Amendment) Bill (MANPAC).
At some places, police had a hard time in controlling the restive people. The police used tear gas shells and mock bombs to disperse the protesting people. However, the people dispersed themselves after the news of the adjournment of the Rajya Sabha session. Later, police, using laud speakers, announced the relaxation of curfew in the twin districts of Imphal West and Imphal East where the prohibition under section 144 of CrPC was clamped since the intervening night of February 11 and 12.
Magistrates of the two districts issued orders lifting the curfew with effect from 1.30 pm. The order issued by the magistrates stated that “the law and order situation has been improved significantly and prevailing circumstances permit that continuous imposition of curfew is no longer required.”
A large number of people rushed to the shops to buy their daily needs. Few fuel stations in Imphal area were also opened where motorists in large number lined up to fill fuel tanks of their vehicles. The service of the data internet has also resumed in the evening. All kinds of telecom services, excluding the broadband service, were shutdown with effect from the midnight of February 11, except the voice calls. Sources said that the curfew and telecom service shutdown were lifted following a verbal instruction from state Chief Minister N Biren Singh who is currently camping in New Delhi.
