Restrictions under Section 144 of the CrPC were relaxed in the Imphal West district of violence-hit Manipur on Sunday, according to a notification.

The restrictions on the movement of people were imposed on May 3 after clashes broke out in the state, said the notification issued by Additional District Magistrate N Johnson Meetei on Saturday.

“… restriction of movement of general public outside their residences is hereby lifted for 2nd July, 2023 (Sunday) from 05:00 AM to 06:00 PM for all areas of Imphal West District,” it said.

The decision was taken due to considerable improvement of law and order situation in the district, it said, adding that there is also a need to relax the restriction to allow people to purchase essential items, including medicines and food.

People on Saturday staged demonstrations at several places in Manipur’s Imphal Valley demanding implementation of the National Register of Citizens (NRC) and peaceful resolution to the ongoing crisis.

In Imphal East district’s Khurai, a large number of women staged a sit-in to denounce any attempt to impose President’s Rule in the state and affirmed their support to Chief Minister Biren N Singh.

In Jiribam district bordering Assam’s Cachar district, women took out a rally urging the chief minister and MLAs not to resign as it would be tantamount to surrendering before the militants.

These demonstrations come a day after Biren N Singh clarified that he was not resigning from the post.

Before his clarification, thousands of demonstrators had blocked his convoy from proceeding towards Raj Bhavan on Friday.

The CM eventually told women demonstrators that he was not resigning.

He tweeted, “At this crucial juncture I would like to clarify that I will not be resigning from the post of chief minister.”

Unconfirmed reports said the CM had typed out a resignation letter but was persuaded by his supporters to tear it up. Some of the women agitators alleged they had seen the torn letter and social media also posted copies of it.

The Indian Youth Congress (IYC) held a candlelight march here on Saturday to pay tribute to those who lost their lives in ethnic clashes in Manipur.

Lashing out at the Centre, IYC national president Srinivas BV alleged that the prime minister “hasn’t issued a statement even as several people lost their lives” in the clashes.

“It has been more than 50 days since Manipur violence. Hundreds of people have been killed, thousands have been displaced, but the prime minister did not break his silence and didn’t even appeal for peace,” Srinivas alleged.

The IYC, the youth wing of the Congress, has urged the Centre to seize arms from all militant groups in Manipur, replace the state’s chief minister and enhance the relief package for the affected people.