Manipur violence | situation calm but tense in Imphal

Tense calm in Imphal after clashes b/w students, RAF; 45 injured; security beefed up; schools closed; internet services banned.

The situation remained calm but tense in the Singjamei area of Imphal on September 27 morning after a clash between students and Rapid Action Force (RAF) personnel left 45 protesters injured the previous night.

Manipur Police, CRPF and RAF personnel were seen deployed in strength throughout Imphal Valley in anticipation of possible protests and violence.

A clash occurred on September 26 night between RAF personnel and locals protesting the killing of two students, who had been missing since July 6, prompting the law enforcers to lob tear gas shells and fire rubber bullets at the agitators and baton-charge them, leaving 45 of the protesters, mostly students, injured.

Although the State government has declared a holiday for schools on September 27, students of some Imphal-based institutions vowed to congregate at their schools, sparking speculations of more protests later in the day.

"Security has been beefed up to prevent any untoward incident," an official said.

A tense calm prevailed in Singjamei even though shops and business establishments were open and vehicles plied the roads.

The State government has relaxed curfew restrictions from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. in Imphal East and Imphal West districts on September 27 to facilitate the general public to purchase essential items including medicines and food, an official notification said.