Newmai News Network
Imphal | February 9
The entire Bishnupur district of Manipur has been placed under section 144 of CrPC with effect from 5 pm of Friday, an official source said Saturday. The district administration has promulgated prohibitory order under section 144 CrPC in the wake of mass agitations against the contentious Citizenship (Amendment) Bill.
The prohibitory order of the Bishnupur district magistrate issued on Friday, prohibited all rallies, meetings, sit-in-protests, dharnas, processions, etc. with effect from 5 pm of Friday. It further banned on gathering or assembling of more than 4/5 persons and carrying of deadly weapons such as daos, firearms, sticks, stones, catapults, dagger, etc. Any person violating this order is liable to be punished under section 188 IPC, the order issued by the Bishnupur district magistrate that will be effective until further order stated.
The district magistrate promulgated the prohibitory order based on a report furnished by the SP of the district. There was a serious apprehension of mass mobilisation by the local people which will definitely create serious law and order problem in the district due to the ongoing agitations organised by Manipur People against Citizenship (Amendment) Bill (MANPAC), the SP reported the district magistrate, the source disclosed.
Similar prohibitory orders were already promulgated in the twin capital districts – Imphal East and Imphal West – the epicentre of the mass agitations against the passing of CAB by the Lok Sabha. While informing the promulgation of prohibitory orders in the twin capital districts, a top officer of the state police, recently, appealed all concerns to obtain prior permission while carrying out rallies, processions, dharna and sit-in-protests within the jurisdiction of the two districts – through the media. However, the protest against CAB continued unabated in the twin districts.
Showing solidarity to the women vendors protest against CAB, all shops and business establishments across the three major markets – Khwairamband Bazar, Paona Bazar and Thangal Bazar in the heart of Imphal– down their shutters for the day. Not only the police and morning shoppers but also vegetable vendors coming from far off places were surprised by the sudden imposition of shutdown.nAuthority called out a large number of police including female personnel to get ready if any untoward incidents occur during the day-long protest. Some leaders of the MANPAC who came at the spot aware the people on the possible impacts of the CAB when it comes into force as an Act.
Sit-in-protests were also staged at various parts of the twin capital districts by womenfolk and students at various places. Police had a hard time to open the roads which were blocked fully and half the way. At some places, the protestors burnt down the effigies of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home minister Rajnath Singh. The burning of effigies was reported from some places in Thoubal district too. While burning down the effigies, they shouted various slogans which include among others, “down down BJP,” “down down Modi”, “Withdraw CAB immediately,” etc.
