Section 144 CrPC relaxed for 12 hrs in Ukhrul

Correspondent IMPHAL, SEPTEMBER 6 [dropcap]P[/dropcap]rohibitory orders imposed in Manipur’s Ukhrul town under Section 144 CrPC have been relaxed for 12 hours (6 am - 6 pm). The decision to relax the section was decided following a meeting with a high level team of Union Home Affairs Ministry comprising the Union Special Secretary (Internal Security) Prakash Mishra, Additional Secretary (Home) Rajiv Gauba and Joint Secretary (North East) Sambhu Singh called on the state chief minister and governor besides holding meeting with the state’s top officials on Friday. Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam had told the media that the move was made as a trial run and if the situation improves it will be removed completely.Gaikhangam who also holds the home portfolio also informed that the state government has taken all possible steps to provide all the essential commodities to the general public. Meanwhile Manipur Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh chaired state security meeting has on Saturday reviewed the situation arising out of the United Naga Council (UNC)’s indefinite blockade on highways in Manipur Naga area today. However what has been discussed during the day’s meeting was not known till the report goes to the press. UNC’s indefinite bandh on vehicular traffic and National projects in the Naga areas of Manipur where the two main supply lines NH 2 and NH 37 passes, was on since September 4 morning, as part of intensifying their protest over the death of two persons during August 30 Ukhrul firing when a public demonstration demanding settlement of Indo-Naga issue and removal of prohibitory orders from Ukhrul, turned violent. In view of the blockade, the normal vehicular movement along the Manipur sector of the highways including Imphal-Mao route, Imphal-Jiribam and Imphal-Moreh besides other district highways except Imphal-Churachandpur have been affected for last three days, forcing the state authority to start rationing of petrol and diesel across 20 oil pumps in and around Imphal on Saturday.