Manipur BJP leader held for violating curfew, released

Hours after being taken into custody for violating curfew restrictions, BJP legislator Khumukcham Joykishan was released unconditionally by a court here on Saturday.

Police said the legislator from Thangmeiband constituency (adjacent to Imphal town) in Manipur was taken into custody as a precautionary measure since there was apprehension that he would violate the curfew restrictions. He was detained at 10.15 p.m. and released at 3 p.m. by the chief judicial magistrate.

The district administration had clamped indefinite curfew on Friday night in some parts of Imphal town to prevent the legislator and his supporters from creating a law and order situation.

Joykishan has been demanding suspension of the construction of the temporary market in a busy Thangal street.

He and his supporters had marched towards the town and bulled through the police barricades, daring police to arrest him saying: "I have broken the law".

Thongam Bisajit, another legislator said: "The agitation shall continue whether Joykishan is released or detained. The Congress government is making its presence felt without caring for the sentiment of the people."

Okram Joy of the BJP also appealed to the government to find an amicable solution.

Hundreds of men and women tried to violate the curfew after the legislator was detained, prompting police to fire several rounds of tear gas shells.

The agitators said they will launch a relay hunger strike from Sunday. They also staged a sit-in protest, demanding unconditional release of the legislator.