Curfew imposed in Imphal amid stir on Citizenship Bill

Guwahati: Fearing violent protest against the Citizenship Amendment Bill, the authorities in Manipur on Tuesday imposed curfew in Imphal East and Imphal West districts for an indefinite period and shut down mobile and Internet services for five days across the state. The capital city of Imphal falls under both Imphal East and Imphal West districts.

The problem escalated following the decision of the government to push the Citizenship Amendment Bill 2016 in the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday.

However, the Upper House was adjourned for Wednesday,

The authorities in Imphal said that restrictions under Section 144 was imposed in the wake of ongoing 36-hour state-wide shutdown in response to a call by civil society groups under the banner of the umbrella body People’s Alliance Manipur (PAM). The civil society groups also carried out black flag protests in Imphal on Monday, while women vendors of the Ima market also continued their protest against the Citizenship Bill even with the police using teargas to disperse the protesters on Sunday.

While roads were deserted in both the districts, police personnel were seen informing people through loud speakers about imposition of the prohibitory orders and asking them to stay indoors. Security forces have also set up barricades on major roads.

The Central government is contemplating to amend the Citizenship Act, 1955, by relaxing the eligibility rules for an immigrant — belonging to six minority (non-Muslim) religions, Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis and Christians, from Afghanistan, Bangladesh or Pakistan — in getting Indian citizenship.