Mobile Internet snapped till February 16 across the state fearing escalation of violence
Defying curfew, protesters stage a demonstration demanding withdrawal of the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, in Imphal on Feb 12. (Photo: IANS)
Indefinite curfew has been imposed upon both Imphal East and West districts as normal life continued to be paralysed due to public protests against the proposed Citizenship Bill. Orders to this effect were issued by the district magistrates concerned citing threat to life and property of people.
The Manipur People’s Against Citizenship Amendment Bill 2016 (MANPAC) had declared Tuesday the “Dooms Day” after calling for a total shutdown for 38 hours. They had gave a clarion call to the people to come out and stage sit in protests. Fearing that violence might erupt through the use of mobile internet network, the state authorities have also shut down mobile network services till February 16.
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Earlier, over 1,000 women vendors of the women’s market (Ema Keithel) or Ima Market, had staged an protest on the 10 February night by sleeping on the roads which was scheduled to last till Tuesday. But police stormed the market area Monday lobbing tear gas shells and mock bombs injuring six women vendors.
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A widespread protests had erupted across the state as students belonging to different organisations raised black flags in the market square area on Monday.
The sit-in protests continued even today as thousands of women staged sit-in protests on the streets in spite of the curfew. and also formed rallies and attempted to reach Imphal City.
Police had a harrowing time trying to prevent them from carrying on with their march and had fired nearly a hundred tear gas shells. On the other hand hundreds of passengers were kept confined at the Imphal Airport as the Airports Authority of India authorities did not permit them to leave the airport area citing security reasons.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister N. Biren Singh is camping in Delhi where he met Union home minister Rajnath Singh along with his Arunachal counterpart Pema Khandu on Monday, where Rajnath is supposed to have assured protection once the CAB Bill becomes an Act.
Sources said the RSS was unhappy with the manner in which the chief minister was handling the Manipur situation.
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