Imphal, May 29 2010: Government has started withdraw of police force from the border gate at Mao even as demonstrations and rallies protest against and support to government decision banning NSCN (IM) general secretary from entering the state continued at various places of Manipur on Saturday.

With the report of improving the law and order in the area, Senapati district administration has also lifted the curfew at Moa town under section 144 of CrPC further.

Earlier, it was relaxed for 6 am till 6 pm only everyday.

The curfew promulgated in Mao town and its adjoining area in connection with the proposed visit of Th Muivah, general secretary, NSCN(IM) imposed from May 2 last has also been lifted with immediate effect until further order, the order of the district magistrate, Nidhi Kesarwani.

However, the order further stated that prohibition on unlawful assembly of five or more person(s), carrying of lethal weapons, fire arms of any description or objects which can be used as weapons and public rally and use of loud speaker without prior permission from the competent authority within the prohibited areas still hold good.

A government source said that Manipur government has started withdrawing state forces from the Mao gate which were deploying since May 3 to prevent rebel leader Th Muivah from crossing into Manipur territory.

Police team led by IGP (law and order-III), V Zathang camping at Mao gate for the last nearly one month have left the Mao gate handing over the overall charge of guarding the border gate to CRPF and IRB.

Personnel of 109 battalion CRPF and 6 IRB are took over the charge of guarding the border gate after the police team led by the IGP left the place late Friday evening for Imphal, the source said.

Troops of 22 AR having its permanent post at Mao gate is assisting the CRPF in guarding the border which is only few kilometer away from Vishema village of Nagaland where Th Muivah is camping currently.

On the other hand, decrying the government ban on Muivah's entry into the state and alleged atrocities meted out by the state security force at May 6 stand-off at Mao gate, hundreds of women of Mao area today marched a protest rally.

Around 1800 women took part in the rally organised by the Mao Women Society and marched from Mao Bus Parking to Mao Forest gate, a report received here said.

The rally started from about 10.50 pm demanded review of the government decision barring Muivah from entering the state apart from pressing to withdraw the state force from the Mao gate alleging them of harassing the civilians in the area.

Placards with various slogans condemning the shooting incident of Mao gate of May 6 that claimed life of two youths and injured to several others and yesterday's incident of injuring two women by rubber bullets fired by security forces were also displayed during the rally.

They also demanded befitting punishment to the security personnel and police involved in the incidents, the report added.