IMPHAL, Sept 8 � The Manipur Government today withdrew the prohibitory orders imposed under Section 144 CrPC from Ukhrul town.
According to a statement issued by Principal Secretary (Home), Dr J Suresh Babu, the State Government on Sunday reviewed the law and order situation prevailing in Ukhrul town and was satisfied that the situation has substantially improved. Hence, the government decided to withdraw the prohibitory orders.
If the law and order situation further improves, the security forces deployed in Ukhrul town will be withdrawn gradually, the statement added. The prohibitory orders were imposed in Ukhrul on July 13, a day after unidentified gunmen shot dead Autonomous District Council (ADC) member Ngalangzer Malue.
Suspecting hands of NSCN-IM in the incident, the police rounded up eight cadres from the office of NSCN-IM in Ukhrul town besides deploying police commandos and IRB personnel in the hill town.
Protesting the government�s move, the United Naga Council (UNC), an apex Naga body in association with Tangkhul bodies staged a demonstration on August 30 demanding withdrawal of the State commandos, prohibitory orders and settlement of the Indo-Naga issue.
Meanwhile, BJP National General Secretary Tapir Gao said that the Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh has asked the Manipur Government to withdraw both prohibitory orders and State forces in Ukhrul.
Speaking to The Assam Tribune on phone from the blockade-hit Maram town, 80 km from Imphal, in Senapati district this afternoon after meeting the UNC and All Naga Students Association, the BJP leader said, �Rajnathji has conveyed this when I phoned him today. He also appealed to the UNC to lift the blockade so that the people do not suffer further.�
Regarding his meeting with UNC leaders, the former MP from Arunachal Pradesh said, UNC is demanding a conducive atmosphere first by withdrawing the police commandos and IRBs for holding talk on the blockade.
