Curfew continues in violence-hit Imphal

Imphal, Feb 21 : Manipur capital Imphal was under indefinite curfew continues for a third day Saturday in the wake of violent protests by the locals. The protestors were against the murder of three state government employees in Ukhrul District.

On Friday night, State Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh met leaders of the Joint Action Committee who held the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (Isaac-Muivah - NSCN (IM) and the Deputy Commissioner of Ukhrul region responsible for the killing of the employees.

The Joint Action Committee has submitted a charter of demands to the chief minister, which includes immediate prosecution of the former Deputy Commissioner, Ukhrul, the arrest of culprits and the release of three government employees.

The Joint Action Committee has refused to take the bodies that are now lying at a mortuary in the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences campus till their demands are met.

Y Kapoor Singh, the Convenor of the Joint Action Committee Manipur said, From the media, we have learnt that the Chief Minister has suspended the Superintendent of Police and Deputy Commissioner. That is not what we wanted. They are making a mockery of democracy, bargaining the lives of people of the State and taking undue advantage of everything. They cannot tempt the public with money.

Though the curfew is indefinite, the authorities might withdraw it if the situation turns normal.

In a statement, the NSCN (IM) denied their link to the murder of the three government employees.