Manipur: Indefinite shutdown in Churachandpur after CBI arrests 4 persons

Normal life has come to a standstill in Manipur’s Churachandpur district owing to an indefinite shutdown with effect from today. Pressure groups have called for the shutdown in protest against the arrest of 4 persons in connection with the missing students who were found dead.

Streets in the district headquarters wore a deserted look as shops, market places and all forms of commercial activities came to a grinding halt. Apart from Government offices all schools and other educational institutes were also shut.

One of the agitating students body leader said, “On what basis they have been arrested? Whether their dead bodies have been recovered? If it has not been recovered than why those people are arrested? This is what the people are asking.”

The Indigenous Tribal Leaders Forum (ITLF) has also expressed its full support to the indefinite shutdown.
Protests have erupted in the district after Chief Minister N Biren Singh last evening informed about the arrests while briefing the media in Imphal.

Chief Minister N Biren Singh said, “Today (Sunday) the CBI, along with the support of the Indian Army, paramilitary forces, Assam rifles, and state police, have arrested four accused in connection to the killing of two students from Henglep in Churachandpur. I want to thank the NIA, CBI, and all paramilitary forces, including the Indian Army and Assam Rifles.”

CBI had registered two cases on August 23 on the request of Manipur Government and taken over the investigation of these cases registered by the Manipur Police at the Imphal Police Station and Lamphel Police Station.

On September 25, pictures went viral on social media showing the 2 students dead who were missing since July 6. The pictures went viral after the Manipur government lifted the internet ban on September 23.