Violence and protests have again intensified in the capital Imphal after the death of two Meitei students, missing since July 2023, was confirmed in the Indian state of Manipur.

On Wednesday, 27 September 2023, a large number of people took to the streets and tried to attack the house of a leader in Imphal. They set a police vehicle on fire and beat up a policeman and snatched his weapon.

Manipur Police issued a statement on the night of Wednesday, September 27, 2023, saying, "An unruly mob tried to attack the house of a leader, security forces dispersed the mob by firing tear gas shells. The uncontrollable mob targeted a police gypsy and burnt it, while a policeman was assaulted and his weapon snatched away."

"Manipur Police condemns such actions and will take strict action to deal with such miscreants. A combing operation is being conducted to recover weapons and arrest the miscreants."

In view of the situation, the relaxation in curfew in Imphal has been stopped and curfew has been completely implemented.

Earlier, Manipur Police had said that after the news of the death of two students, violent protests have increased and the police is trying to control the protesters by using "minimum force", but some people have been injured in this attempt.

Police said in their statement, "The miscreants in the crowd used pieces of iron and stones (marbles) on the security forces. In retaliation, security forces used minimum force to disperse the crowd and fired tear gas shells, injuring some people."

This statement from the police came when allegations were being made that the security forces had used pellet guns on the protesters.

Apart from this, on Wednesday, 27 September 2023, the duration of "Armed Forces Special Powers Act" i.e. AFSPA has been extended for the next six months in the hilly areas of Manipur.

However, 19 police stations of Imphal Valley have been kept out of this purview.

The Manipur government issued a notification on Wednesday, September 27, 2023, saying, "The Governor of Manipur is of the opinion that due to the violent activities of various extremist insurgent groups, civil administration in the entire State of Manipur except the areas falling under the jurisdiction of 19 police stations. Therefore, the Governor is hereby approved to declare the entire State of Manipur, except the areas falling under the jurisdiction of 19 police stations, as 'disturbed area' for a period of six months from 1st October, 2023."

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