IMPHAL, Aug 20 ? Altogether 20 persons, arrested in connection with their involvement in the current agitation, were today detained under the National Security Act (NSA) even as agitators stepped up civil disobedience movement for removal of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act from Manipur, official sources said, reports PTI. District Magistrates of Imphal East and West districts issued the relevant orders declaring the 20 persons as detainees under the NSA, the sources said.
Among those detained were the president of Zeliangrong United Club, Manipur, Maibon Phaomei and a local reporter Ajit Singh. At least 40 others who were also arrested in the past few days in connection with the ongoing agitation had been sent to judicial custody after producing them before the court of the chief judicial magistrate here yesterday, the sources said. Charge sheets would be prepared against those who were detained under the NSA, the sources said adding the authorities were discussing whether the 32 organisations spearheading the current stir for removal of the Act would be declared as unlawful or not.
Meanwhile, official reports said markets, shops and business establishments in the biggest market complex at Khwairamband here remained closed today. Most of the public transport services also remained suspended, the reports said. No untoward incident was, however, reported from any part of the state till noon today, the reports said.