Protests over killings rock Imphal; curfew imposed

Indefinite curfew was imposed in Imphal on Thursday following violent protests over the abduction and subsequent killing of three people...

Indefinite curfew was imposed in Imphal on Thursday following violent protests over the abduction and subsequent killing of three people,including a sub-divisional officer,by suspected militants earlier this week.

Curfew was imposed from 5 pm after the police first resorted to lathicharge and then fired tear gas shells in different parts of the Capital to control the situation and disperse crowds. Manipur is also reeling under a 48-hour bandh,called by a number of organisations to protest the killings.

The police also set up barricades in different thoroughfares in the city to prevent meira paibis (womens vigilante groups) from bringing out torchlight processions to protest the killings and the governments alleged failure to save the three.

The Manipur government has decided to hand over the case to the CBI. Though no group has claimed responsibility for the killings,officials suspect the NSCN(IM),which has a strong presence in Ukhrul,the home district of top NSCN leader Thuingaleng Muivah. The group has,however,denied involvement.