Same curfew relaxation
Source: The Sangai Express / NNN

Imphal, August 06 2009: The markets in the capital of Manipur, Imphal were teeming with people who had come out to buy essential supplies since early in the morning as the curfew which was imposed from 10 p.m.on August 4 was relaxed from 5 am to 9 a.m.on August 6 .

Shopkeepers had a hard time selling their goods as there were too many customers at one time demanding to buy supplies.

Meanwhile, curfew will be relaxed from 5 am to 9 am tomorrow also.

Customers thronging at Khwairamband market during a short relaxation of curfew

There were traffic jams everywhere as people went about to meet their business and personal commitment which were held up by the 48 hours bandh from the midnight of August 2, followed by the curfew imposed from 10 p.m.of August 4 .

People were seen hurrying home around 9 a.m.when police started to announce through loudspeakers to the shopkeepers to close their shops and the public to return home.

Police vehicles could be seen whizzing about in and around Imphal city with sirens on to hustle the people to return to their homes.

The imposition of curfew by the government of Manipur has been condemned in the strongest term by the Apunba Lup, the apex body of civil society organizations in Manipur, which is spearheading the public agitation against Manipur police commandos and the government headed by O.Ibobi Singh for killing Th.Rabina and Ch.

Sanjit on July 23.The working committee of the Apunba Lup had stated that the curfew which was imposed to suppress the movement of the Lup and the public would have very little impact as the Lup was fully prepared for a stronger movement.

Meanwhile, the spokesperson of the joint action committee (JAC) formed against the killing of Ch.

Sanjit said that there is no need for any inquiry as the photographs of Tehelka had exposed beyond doubt that Ch.

Sanjit was killed in a fake encounter by Manipur police commandos after taking him into their custody and those who were involved in the killing should be dismissed from service and be given life imprisonment.

The JAC would continue the agitation with stronger movement until their demands are met, said the spokesperson.

It is pertinent to mention in this connection that, as a part of the continuation of agitation led by the Apunba Lup, torch rallies were taken out in many localities in Imphal East and West districts on Wednesday night in defiance of the curfew which was on.

Security forces tried to break up the rallies by firing tear gas shells, mock bombs and rubber bullets and the sound of firing could be heard till late in the night.

It is also worth mentioning that the chief minister had already assured in a press conference on Wednesday that a judicial inquiry would be ordered to find out the truth about the July 23 incident and announced that six police commandos including a sub-inspector who were involved in the incident have been suspended.

But, it may be pointed out, nothing has been said about the demand of various civil society organizations, including the Apunba Lup, and political organizations that the chief minister should resign on moral ground.