CM Biren Singh chairs meeting of Combined Headquarters in Manipur

Imphal (Manipur) [India], July 3 : Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh on Monday chaired a meeting of the Combined Headquarters (CHQ) to discuss important security matters related to the prevailing situation in the state.

"Chaired a meeting of the Combined Headquarters (CHQ) in my office today to discuss important security matters related to the prevailing situation in Manipur. Certain key decisions have been taken to ensure that the violence is stopped immediately in the state, especially at the foothills along the valley," Manipur CM tweeted.

The meeting was attended by senior officers of the state government, the Indian Army and the Para Military forces.

Earlier today, the curfew in the West Imphal district would be relaxed from 5 am to 6 pm on Monday after Chief Minister Biren Singh inspected the ground situation at the hills adjoining Bishnupur-Churachandpur on Sunday.

The order by the District Magistrate said, "There is considerable improvement of law and orders in the district and there is need to relax the restriction of movement to facilitate the general public to purchase the essential items including medicines and food items."

"Now, therefore, restriction of movement of general public outside their residences is hereby lifted for 3rd July 2023 (Monday) from 5:00 AM to 6:00 PM for all areas of Imphal West District," the order stated.

"However, movement of persons belonging to essential services such as Health, Electricity, PHED, Municipality, Press and Electronic media and functioning of Courts shall be exempted from further imposition of curfew after the expiry of the period of relaxation," the order further stated.

Ethnic clashes broke out in the State nearly two months ago on May 3 after clashes erupted during a rally organised by the All Tribal Students Union (ATSU) to protest against the demand for the inclusion of Meiteis in the list of Scheduled Tribes (STs).

The Assam Rifles have evacuated over 50,000 displaced persons from all communities in violence-hit Manipur to date and provided them safe passage, shelter, food, and medicines.

Earlier on June 24, Home Minister Shah gave an assurance of restoring peace in the state, while the opposition parties questioned PM Narendra Modi's 'silence' on the matter at the all-party meeting on the violence in Manipur.