To protest arrest of 5 people, 48 hours shutdown called in Manipur

Imphal: A 48-hour statewide shutdown has been called to protest the arrest of five persons in camouflage uniforms by police and security forces in Manipur.

The shutdown began at midnight on Monday and is expected to end at midnight on September 20.
Several voluntary organizations have launched various protests in Manipur’s valley districts to demand the safe release of five persons arrested on September 16.

Manipur police and security forces arrested five persons in camouflage uniforms and recovered sophisticated weapons from their possession.
A large number of people came out against the arrest and tried to storm the Porompat police station demanding the release of the arrested persons. Joint security forces repelled the attack by firing tear gas.

The arrested persons were produced in the court of the Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM) and the court remanded them to police custody.
The Manipur Police Control Room has issued a statement saying that strict legal action is being taken against the arrested “anti-social elements”.

Several local bodies and Meira Paibis have called for a shutdown, but essential services including media, medical and water supply have been exempted from the shutdown.
The impact of the shutdown is not yet known, but it is expected to affect normal life in Manipur.