Source: The Sangai Express / Newmai News Network
Dimapur, February 22 2009:
The indefinite curfew clamped in Imphal West and Imphal East districts since 5 pm of February 19 was relaxed for five hours from 9 pm to 2 pm today.
To majority of the people this was a big relief after days of bandh and curfew.
The indefinite curfew was imposed as a pre-emptive measure to avoid any untoward incident because of the massive people's protest movement against the brutal murder of SDO Th Kishan, Mondal Y Token and Driver A Rajen.
The five hours of curfew relaxation saw busy traffic on all the important roads of the two districts.
People coming to buy essential commodities and traders coming to sell vegetable produces and other items were seen hurrying to market places on all roads including Imphal-Tidim road, Imphal-Moreh road, Imphal-Dimapur road, Mayai Lambi, Imphal-Jiribam road etc.
Similar scenes were also observed in Imphal East district along Imphal-Ukhrul road, Imphal- Kongba road etc.
Long serpentine queues of vehicles were also seen in many oil pumps during the hours of curfew relaxation.
As expected, Khwairam-band Keithel saw the busiest scenes.
As the relaxed period comes to an end and police personnel driving people, there was a rush in every direction causing traffic congestion and jams at several traffic points.