Protesting the economic policies, Manipur anti-economic activists burned over 20 Ukhrul vehicles in Manipur on Sunday. The protests started against NSCN-IM, after three blasts and United Naga Council (UNC) economic blockade. The authorities imposed curfew in Imphal, the Capital city of Manipur indefinitely. In east Imphal, curfew started at 4:30 P.M., indefinitely and night curfew was imposed in West Imphal till 4:00A.M., Monday. The state Ministry also decided to block all the mobile networks in hope to reduce mounting tensions in the valley. The decision of curfew came with the rise of tensions following Friday’s blasts in Imphal and an alleged attack on a church.
This order was issued by Deputy commissioner asking all telecom operators of the Imphal valley to discontinue mobile data services indefinitely.
Manipur Govt extends curfew in the entire Imphal East district in view of protest against NSCN-IM and UNC economic blockade; issues notice pic.twitter.com/ClcdyvDyyG
— ANI (@ANI_news) December 18, 2016
Official sources issued that these tensions are because of protesting economy, and in order to stop “spreading false propaganda and hate speech through social media” data services have been blocked.
Though the police present used tear gas to disperse the mob present, it was to no avail. Numerous passenger buses and private jeeps were set ablaze by the mob. The curfew issued by State and Central Government held strict patrol on the streets of Khurai in Imphal district and other areas affected by the violence.
The mob forced all the passengers from public transport out of their vehicles in Khursi and surrounding areas before setting them ablaze leading to curfew indefinitely.