Imphal: Curfew was relaxed in Manipur’s Churachandpur, where the Meiti community and the Kuki tribals clashed following a 'Tribal Solidarity March' last Wednesday.

The curfew was relaxed from 7-10 am on Sunday in Churachandpur followed by a flag march by security forces immediately thereafter, the Indian Army said in a statement.

The tribal unrest against the Manipur High Court’s order directing the Manipur government to take a decision on the demand of the Meitei community to include them in the ST list flared after attacks and counterattacks between the two communities and soon engulfed a greater part of the state, including the capital city Imphal.

“Ray of hope due to efforts of 120- 125 Army & Assam Rifles columns who are working tirelessly for past 96 hr to rescue civilians across all communities, curb violence & restore normalcy has emerged,” the army said.

The curfew was relaxed on Sunday morning as no major incidents of violence occurred in the area, the army said.

“The past 24 hrs also witnessed army significantly enhancing surveillance efforts through aerial surveillance, movement of UAVs & redeployment of Army Helicopters within Imphal Valley,” it said.

Meanwhile, the army said a total of 23,000 civilians have been rescued till now and moved to their own operating bases or military garrisons.

On Saturday, Manipur DGP said at least 32 people lost their lives in the ethnic violence that ravaged the state in the last three days. Some media reports quoted this figure at 54.