IMPHAL, June 3 (NNN): An inquiry has been initiated to find the truth behind the standoff between personnel of Manipur Police and Assam Rifles (AR) in front of Sugnu Police Station in Kakching district on Friday, said Manipur chief minister N Biren Singh on Saturday.
With the state limping back to normalcy, the state government is also considering the lifting of the ban being imposed on internet service soon, Singh added in a video message to the media.
In the message, the chief minister said that the unfortunate stand-off erupted out of a misunderstanding between the two forces in their efforts to retrieve the dead bodies of some persons killed in recent violent incidents and lying at a place under the jurisdiction of Sugnu police station and Kakching police station.
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The state government has initiated an inquiry into the incident after due consultation with the pertinent authorities of the central government.
If any of the two forces happened to indulge in the act beyond their limit, appropriate action would be initiated, the chief minister assured.
He then appealed to the people of the state to remain calm, as the inquiry would be initiated and followed by action against the erring force.
Meanwhile, the chief minister said that with the situation improving slowly, the curfew relaxation hours have been extended, and the state government is also considering lifting the internet ban at the earliest.
Meanwhile, people blocking roads to disrupt the movement of paramilitary forces intensified against the backdrop of the intense standoff between state police personnel and troops of the 37 Assam Rifles at Sugnu in Kakching district.
On Saturday, a large number of residents of the Sekmai area who were on vigil against the movement of the paramilitary forces on NH-2 blocked a convoy of Assam Rifles at Pheidinga Lamkhai.
The Assam Rifles convoy coming from the Imphal side was about to move towards Khurkhul.
Taking part in the blocking of the road, a woman protester alleged that whenever Assam Rifles come, the peaceful atmosphere of the village is disturbed.
In a similar situation, residents of the Kumbi area of Bishnupur district also intensified their blockade against the movement of central security forces. The residents came out on the streets on the roads leading to the villages on the periphery of the valley to block the movement of the paramilitary forces.
Talking to the media, women leaders in the area said that they have no faith that the central security forces will protect their lives and properties.
She urged the government authorities not to send central security forces into the area while asserting that, considering the “biased” role of the central forces, they would like to protect themselves, their lives, and their properties.
In Imphal East district, residents today formed a human chain from Porompat to Palace Compound, demanding the withdrawal of the Assam Rifles from the state while questioning the integrity of the paramilitary force.
People from different walks of life joined the human chain and chanted the slogans “Go back Assam Rifles” and “Long live Manipur”.
