Manipur authorities have imposed a comprehensive curfew across all five valley districts of the state as a precautionary measure, effective from Tuesday evening, according to official sources.
This decision to cancel curfew relaxation hours in Bishnupur, Kakching, Thoubal, Imphal West, and Imphal East follows developments related to the Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) and its women’s wing. COCOMI has called on residents from across the valley districts to take action against an army barricade located at Phougakchao Ikhai in Bishnupur district, a few kilometers away from Churachandpur, on Wednesday, officials have confirmed.
Presently, curfew relaxation is permitted in all five valley districts from 5 am to 6 pm daily.
In an unscheduled press conference, government spokesperson and Information and Public Relations Minister Sapam Ranjan issued an appeal, stating, “The government urges COCOMI to reconsider their plan to approach the army barricade at Phougakchao Ikhai near Torbung on September 6.” Sapam also called on the public “to support the security measures taken by the government.”
Notably, individuals engaged in essential services, including healthcare, electricity, Public Health Engineering Department (PHED), petrol stations, educational institutions, municipal services, media, court operations, and flight passengers, will be exempt from the curfew, according to officials.
COCOMI’s media coordinator, Somendro Thokchom, revealed that the committee had previously urged the government and relevant authorities to dismantle the barricade by August 30. While encouraging residents to approach the barricade, Thokchom underscored that the state government should bear full responsibility for any untoward incidents.
Local residents have expressed concerns about the Phougakchao Ikhai barricade, stating that it has prevented them from returning to their homes in Torbung since the outbreak of violence on May 3.
