The action comes after student protests demanding peace erupted in reaction to a new surge of ethnic violence.
Authorities in Manipur, India, have imposed an indefinite curfew and cut internet access in response to student protests against a recent escalation of ethnic violence that has troubled the region for over a year. On Tuesday, the state’s Home Ministry announced a five-day shutdown of internet and mobile data services to manage the ongoing unrest.
The notice warned that “anti-social elements might misuse social media to spread images, hate speech, and inflammatory video messages to incite public unrest.”
A curfew has been imposed in three districts of Manipur, and the state government announced that internet and mobile data services would be suspended until Sunday to prevent the spread of misinformation and hate speech that could exacerbate violence.
Manipur, a volatile state of 3.2 million people located in the mountains along India’s border with Myanmar, has faced ongoing clashes for over a year between the predominantly Hindu Meitei and the mainly Christian Kukis. The conflict revolves around economic benefits, government jobs, and education quotas. Despite a heavy military presence, the violence has continued.
In the past 10 days, at least nine people have been killed and several injured due to drone attacks and homemade rocket strikes by armed groups.
In Imphal, the state capital, hundreds of Meitei people defied a curfew imposed earlier on Tuesday to demand action against Kuki fighting groups, whom they accuse of orchestrating the recent attacks.
Student protests on Monday turned violent as demonstrators hurled stones and plastic bottles at security forces. In another district, protesters seized weapons from police and fired at them.
On Tuesday, police used tear gas to disperse hundreds of students who marched towards the Manipur governor’s residence, calling for peace in the state. Students expressed frustration over the government’s failure to address the 16-month-long conflict.
Since May, about 250 people have been killed and tens of thousands displaced due to violent mob attacks on villages and the burning of homes.
Student leader Ch Victor Singh announced that protesters have given Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya 24 hours to address their demands, which include the removal of the state’s top police official and the security adviser for their failure to curb the violence, according to the Press Trust of India.
IK Muivah, a senior police officer in Imphal, urged students to conduct peaceful marches and follow the law. He also stated that police are investigating the recent attacks.
