Imphal, February 24 2009: All government and private offices and educational institutes in Senapati district of Manipur were forced to close down Tuesday by the Senapati District Students Association (SDSA) as the protest against the murder of the SDO Dr Th Kishan and his two staff headway with the demand of handing over of the culprits to the Manipur government.

Sit-in protests were staged in various parts of the state by the womenfolk as the JAC formed in connection with the murder of the SDO and his staff joining hand with the Apunba Lup (an apex body of the various civil organizations based in the state) has decided to continue their agitation till their demands are fulfilled.

Meanwhile, authorities are relaxing the indefinite curfew imposing under section 144 of the CrPC in greater Imphal area (covering Imphal east and west district) for 10-hour from 7 am till 5 pm today.

The districts authorities lifted the curfew as the situation here improving.

No untoward incidents reported during the curfew relaxation hour.

Schools, colleges and government institutions were opened today and normal classes and officials resumed after seven days of disturbances.

The Senapati District Students Association (SDSA) has forced to close down the government and private offices and schools located in the district decrying the "evil designs"of the responsible individuals and organization and showing solidarity to the bereaved families of the SDO and his two staffs, according to the statement of the students body yesterday reported in newspapers in Imphal today.

The motive of the perpetrators was to create communal tension between the people of Senapati district and the valley people, it said while strongly reacting to the killing of the SDO and his staff after transporting to Senapati district.

The students body took serious note on changing of the number plate of the SDO's vehicle to a number plate belonging to an innocent citizen of Senapati district and asked why the culprits dragged the issue of the Kasom Khullen SDO office to Senapati district.

It also urged the state government and the concerned authority to speed up the investigation and book those individuals or organisations responsible.

During protest stir with the closure of the government and private offices and government offices and educational institutions however did not affect to the normal business and other activities in the district, official reports here said.

All shops and other business establishments remained opened as usual and vehicles also ply on the roads, the report said.

The protests over the brutal murder continuing in the valley areas of the state today as womenfolk turned out and carried out sit-in protest in their respective localities with slogans like "Handover the guilty persons to the government, award them befitting punishment, deliver justice to the people etc.

The JAC and Apunba Lup spearheading agitation with various demands from the government, mention may be made, have vowed to continue agitations of various forms like, sit-in protest, torch rally etc.

in the coming days.

They are also planning to hold a public meeting on February 26.

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