Commul flare feared in Moreh, security beefed up

FROM OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT

IMPHAL, August 18: As the Home Minister Gaikhangam fears that there may be a commul flare up at Moreh, the border town top ranking police and civil officials have been rushed on Tuesday to maintain law and order.

Highly placed sources told The Sentinel that the situation is under control although tension is running high. Meanwhile the office of the Meitei Counil Moreh (MCM) and three other houses belonging to a community were burned to cinders. It may be mentioned that, Moreh is a dried up town where people do not have water even for drinking with the result that the raging fire could not be doused by the skeleton staff of the fire service there.

Reports said that the MCM wanted to organize a demonstration in support of the ongoing agitation for the implementation of the Inner Line Permit (ILP), however, some sections objected to it, alleging that they are not interested in ILP agitation but want to close the educatiol establishments.

Reports also said that gunshots were heard from many directions. However, police cannot furnish the details or whether there was any casualty. Police and paramilitary forces are doing everything possible to maintain law and order.

On the other hand, in Imphal, police picked up five students and two activists who have been on fast unto death demanding the implementation of the ILP. Some others including a 65 years old woman undertook fasting. There were protests as police unceremoniously dragged away the students and activists during the raids at the wee hours on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, prohibitory orders have been clamped in Moreh town. The District Magistrate of Chandel had imposed prohibitory orders under section 144 CrPC at Moreh town as the situation was deteriorating.