Hundreds of people came out in the streets defying curfew and clashed with security personnel as protests against the Citizenship Bill were getting violent.
To control the situation the government has banned internet services from Feb 12 to 16 and prohibitory orders were issued in Imphal for the second-day today ordering all to remain indoors. Broadcast of news which may disturb peace and tranquillity was also banned by the District Magistrate.
Sounds of firing, shouting of slogans were heard in most places and security personnel were finding it difficult to control the situation as large numbers of people were coming out. Large numbers of people including senior citizens were coming out and sleeping in market areas even though police dispersed them using tear gas shells and seized all clothes used to sleep on the roads. Many women are undergoing treatment at hospitals.
Chief Minister N Biren Singh who is camping in New Delhi said he will not come out until it has been confirmed that the Bill will not be introduced. He said he has been meeting central leaders and briefing them about the dangers Manipur and other north eastern states will be facing if the Bill is passed. He said most of the north eastern states were having protective laws however, Manipur has no protective laws like Inner Line Permit.
He said he has informed Union Home Minister, Rajnath Singh that the situation in Manipur is extremely tense. As the central leaders were aware of the consequences the Bill may not be presented he said.
MANPAC the apex body of those against Citizenship Bill had decided to impose a 36-hour day shut down on Feb 11 and 12 and to control the situation curfew was imposed indefinitely. Movement of marriage ceremony, people going to airport were even stopped.
Suspension of internet services affected most services. The streets were littered with burning tyres, effigies of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh in various areas.
All the Congress leaders including former Chief Minister O Ibobi, President Gaikhangam, MLAs were in New Delhi and staged a protest on Tuesday. Congress leaders informed that the Congress party will oppose the Bill if it is introduced in Rajya Sabha.
Security was tightened at the residences of all legislators specially BJP, CM Secretariat, Raj Bhawan and BJP offices were barricaded by security personnel. Residences of BJP MLAs had been attacked by people since yesterday as a sign of protests.
MANPAC which is spearheading the protests said the relations between the region and New Delhi has been strained and New Delhi was least concerned about the wiping out of indigenous populace by the illegal immigrants from neighbouring countries.
