Curfew in four valley districts of Manipur, which was relaxed from 6 a.m. on Monday, was reimposed indefinitely in Imphal East and West from 11 a.m. following fresh incidents of violence indulged in by people who are against suspension of a general strike. In Thoubal and Bishnupur districts, curfew would be in force till 6 a.m. Tuesday.
The Film Forum Manipur and the Sumang Lila Council had announced suspension of the strike, called to protest the molestation of a film artiste allegedly by an NSCN(IM) cadre, for three days from midnight on Sunday night in view of Christmas. However, as normal life resumed on Monday morning, members of the two organisations protested that they were not consulted and that the suspension of the strike was not warranted. A crowd raided the house of Forum president Surjakanta Laimayum and caused extensive damage.
In other incidents, old tyres and logs were burnt on roads. Over 70 buses and trucks were intercepted at Lamlong. Eight trucks carrying tribals from Imphal to Ukhrul were detained and the passengers forced to walk their way. Villagers offered them water, glucose and medicines. Some persons damaged a bridge at Phokthong along the Imphal-Ukhrul road.
At Kangjabi Leirak here, two women sustained bleeding injures when the police fired fire rubber bullets. A jeep was torched at Wangkhei, an autorickshaw at Sagolmang and a two-wheeler at Yurembam.
All market places, educational institutions and business centres have been closed. Attendance in government offices is nil.
Hundreds of candidates could not make it to venues of all-India examinations. Some journalists were attacked by youth.
