By IANS,
Imphal : The Manipur government Tuesday announced a cash reward of Rs.5 lakh for information leading to the arrest of a Naga rebel who sexually molested a film actress, even as authorities have lifted curfew in the four valley districts of the state.
Authorities had clamped curfew in Imphal East, Imphal West, Bishenpur and Thoubal following violent protests to demand for the arrest of R.T. Livingstone Anal, a member of National Socialist Council of Nagalim-Isak-Muivah (NSCN-IM).
“Curfew has been lifted from 6 a.m this morning from the four valley districts of Manipur after the situation returned to normal,” Manipur Chief Secretary D.S. Poonia told IANS.
However, prohibitory orders, banning unlawful assembly and the carrying of lethal weapons, would continue to be in force as a precautionary measure.
“We have announced a reward of Rs.5 lakh to anyone who can provide credible and relevant information on the whereabouts of Livingstone for molesting the actress and attacking the other two artists,” Manipur Home Minister G. Gaikhangam told IANS.
“The identity of the informant would be kept secret.”
Gaikhangam said that the Manipur Police and Assam Rifles are on a manhunt to arrest the Naga rebel.
“The chief minister (Okram Ibobi Singh) had met union Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde and requested him to speak to the NSCN-IM to hand over the accused to the Manipur government,” he added.
Livingstone had allegedly molested the actress at a public function at Chandel district, bordering Myanmar Dec 18. He had also opened fire at two artistes who tried to rescue the actress but the bullets missed them.
The Manipur Film Forum (MFF) and Manipur State Shumang Leela Council, which suspended its indefinite general strike from midnight of Dec 24 in view of the Christmas festival, has threatened to resume its general strike from midnight of Dec 26 till Anal is arrested.
Thangjam Nanao Singh, a cameraman of the Doordarshan, was killed was killed in Thangmeiband area Sunday when police opened fire to disperse supporters of the Manipur Film Forum who had allegedly torched a police vehicle.