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Curfew continues in Imphal

Iboyaima Laithangbam

IMPHAL: For the third consecutive day, curfew continued in Imphal East and West on Saturday, following agitations in the wake of the murders of three government officials in Manipur’s Ukhrul district. The police have picked up three Tangkhul tribals who have been missing since their abduction along with the slain officials on February 13. The tribals are being brought here for interrogation.

No agreement could be reached between Chief Minister Okram Ibobi and representatives of the Joint Action Committee (JAC) and the Apunba Lup (AL), an umbrella body of 32 social organisations and groups, in talks held on Friday night.

Defying curfew, the JAC and the AL held a public meeting here earlier on Friday to chalk out the further course of agitation demanding action against the murderers.

Demands rejected

Their demands include interrogation of the suspended District Collector Pankaj Kumar Pal after registering a criminal case on his alleged involvement, and closure of the camps of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland(Isak Muivah). But Mr. Ibobi rejected the demands.

Early on Saturday, when hundreds of women vendors assembled in some markets for selling vegetables and fish, the police fired teargas canisters and used mock bombs to disperse them. Some vendors and customers were injured.

Life disrupted

Life has come to a standstill in the twin districts with all offices, educational institutes and public places remaining deserted. Police and paramilitary personnel are deployed at all places to disperse people who attempt to take out processions.

More forces have been rushed from other districts to Imphal East and Imphal West. Civil organisations and political parties are demanding a judicial inquiry into the murders.

The government, which earlier decided to hand over the case to the Central Bureau of Investigation, has instead set up a departmental inquiry headed by L.M. Khaute, IGP (Intelligence).

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