Curfew relaxed in parts of Manipur, 3 arrested

Amidst relaxation of curfew in Imphal East district of Manipur, three persons were arrested today for allegedly throwing stones and damaging at least three buses.
Police said locals of Napet Palli in Imphal East district threw stones and damaged the three buses, which were returning from Ukhrul after dropping a large number of people who had been stranded, after residents of Khurai and Lamlong went on a rampage and damaged 22 passenger vehicles on December 16 in protest against the blockade by United Naga Council.
The District Magistrate of Imphal East relaxed the indefinite curfew clamped on December 18, barring the violence-hit Imphal-Ukhrul road, district officials said.

Night curfew in West Imphal district, however, remained in force as a precautionary measure as the economic blockade by United Naga Council(UNC) on both the national highways of the state continued for the 51st day.
Internet services too remained snapped for the fourth day today to avoid spread of rumours and false propaganda, said a telecom official.
The violence had led to the clamping of curfew in the twin districts with the Centre dispatching a 4,000-strong paramilitary force to provide security for transportation of essential commodities on the national highways.
Meanwhile, leaders and people of different ethnic groups of the state attended an all-community meeting today for an amicable solution to the prevailing law and order situation in the state.

The leaders urged the Centre, the state government and other stakeholders to lift the economic blockade.