Has the Indefinite Curfew in Manipur Been Relaxed?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Curfew has been partially lifted in five valley districts.
- Movement outside residences is allowed from 5 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Protests continue despite curfew relaxation.
- Law enforcement agencies are exempt from curfew restrictions.
- Central and state forces remain deployed to maintain order.
Imphal, June 11 (NationPress) Following a significant improvement in conditions in Manipur, the district administrations across five valley districts have decided to ease the indefinite curfew as of Tuesday, according to an official announcement.
A representative from the Home Department indicated that after evaluating the situation, it was determined that a partial relaxation of restrictions was appropriate, all while prioritizing public safety and maintaining law and order.
Orders issued by the district magistrates for the five valley districts state that the curfew will now be in effect from 5 a.m. to 5 p.m., with movement outside residences prohibited from 5 p.m. to 5 a.m.
The affected districts include Imphal West, Imphal East, Thoubal, Bishnupur, and Kakching.
However, there will be no restrictions on law enforcement agencies performing their duties, nor on emergency services, banking, or financial institutions.
Violent protests erupted on the night of June 7 following the arrest of Ashem Kanan Singh, the leader of the Meitei radical organization Arambai Tenggol, by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
To manage the unrest, the state government imposed a ban on mobile internet and data services starting midnight on June 7, alongside the indefinite curfew across the five Imphal valley districts.
A substantial presence of both Central and state forces, led by senior officials, has been deployed in the five districts, particularly in Imphal East and Imphal West, to restore order.
Meanwhile, Arambai Tenggol announced on Tuesday that they would be easing their 10-day shutdown of Manipur, initially called to protest the arrest of a senior leader and actions taken by security agencies.
A spokesperson for the group stated that while they are relaxing the shutdown, protests will continue in a democratic manner. The Manipur police previously reported that Singh was taken into custody by the CBI in Imphal and transferred to Guwahati.
A statement from the Manipur police indicated that Singh had been a head constable until his termination on March 3, 2025, due to his involvement in serious criminal activities, including cross-border arms smuggling.
He was arrested for engaging in numerous grave offenses and unlawful activities, with several criminal cases filed against him.