Heirok area in Manipur’s Thoubal district has been placed under indefinite curfew under section 144 of CrPC on December 23 as tension is running high following the poll-related violence on December 21.
Thoubal district magistrate A Subhash Singh ordered the prohibitory order in view of the “tensed atmosphere” prevailing in Heirok area.
The curfew will be effective from 5 pm of December 23 until further order to ensure that no untoward incident occurs in the areas.
Tension ran high in Heirok following a spate of poll-related clashes. A student was killed and his father was critically injured by masked gunmen in the poll-related violence late on December 21 night.
A report of the superintendent of police (SP) of the district to the district magistrate said that the situation in the area is “volatile” and there is likelihood of breach of peace and disturbance of public tranquillity, endangering human lives and properties.
The police officer suggested the district magistrate to issue prohibitory orders for prevention of breach of peace, disturbance of public tranquillity and danger to human lives and properties and to prevent riot or affray.
The prohibition will not apply to government officials and machinery involved in the enforcement of law and order, military, paramilitary forces and other genuine urgent matters related to medical and essential services etc., the order stated.
People who want to take out procession for marriage, funeral and religious purposes etc. within the scheduled area should obtain prior permission.
Meanwhile, chief minister N Biren Singh on December 23 enquired the health conditions of the injured persons of the poll-related violence clash between workers of Congress and BJP at Heirok, who were currently treated at Raj Medicity hospital in Imphal’s North AOC.
Three persons injured in the clash are being treated at the private hospital.
“There will be no tolerance for violence. All the culprits of the crime will be brought to justice,” the chief minister said while talking to the media during the visit. He termed the violence occurred at Heirok as unfortunate while calling upon the locals of the area to shun violence during the election campaign.
Assembly elections in Manipur are due in February-March, 2020.
