Riot-hit towns in Manipur witnessed some semblance of normalcy on Sunday morning after people came out of their homes to restock food and other essential commodities following the relaxation of curfew for three hours in Churachandpur district.
A flag march was taken out by the Army and Assam Rifles columns through Churachandpur as soon as the curfew relaxation ended at 10 am.
Despite life limping back to normalcy, Army and Assam Rifles deployed in the strife-torn state continues to keep strict vigil by enhancing surveillance efforts through aerial surveillance. According to the Indian Army, UAVs and army helicopters were deployed over Imphal Valley to ensure security.
As many as 120-125 Army columns have been deployed in the entire riot-hit state bringing the total force to over 10,000 soldiers, para-military and central police forces.
According to a statement issued by the Army, both the Indian Army and Assam Rifles rescued around 23,000 civilians from the violence-hit state of Manipur and safely shifted them to operating bases.
"The past 24 hours also witnessed army significantly enhancing surveillance efforts through aerial surveillance, movement of UAVs and redeployment of army helicopters within Imphal Valley. A total of 23,000 civilians have been rescued till now and moved to own military garrisons," a statement by the Army said.
It added that the situation was normal across Manipur. "Ray of hope due to efforts of 120- 125 Army and Assam Rifles columns who are working tirelessly for past 96 hours to rescue civilians across all communities, curb violence and restore normalcy has emerged with no major violence being reported and curfew, therefore being relaxed from 7-10 am today in Churachandpur followed by flag march by Security Forces immediately thereafter," the Army statement said.
The curfew imposed under section 144 of the CrPC will be relaxed from 7 am to 10 am. The curfew was relaxed on Saturday for two hours from 3 pm to 5 pm.
The state government introduced the curfew on May 3 after violent clashes broke out between tribals and members of the majority Meitei community. So far, over 50 people died in the violence that erupted over the move to protect forests in the face of resistance from illegal immigrants and the High Court’s direction to include Meitei in scheduled tribes.