In India's Manipur state, curfew is imposed and the internet is shut down due to ethnic conflicts

Guwahati, India, September 10, 2024. After students in India's northeastern state of Manipur protested against a new round of ethnic violence, Indian authorities imposed an indefinite curfew and shut down the internet in some parts of the state. In the past 10 days, attacks by armed groups have killed at least nine people and injured several others.

Manipur, located in the mountainous region on the border between India and Myanmar, has a population of 3.7 million. Since May last year, the state has been plunged into ethnic conflicts. Rioters' destruction has led to about 250 deaths and tens of thousands of people being displaced. The conflict started when Christian Kukis protested against the mainly Hindu Meiteis' demand for special status. The special status will enable the Meiteis to buy land in mountainous areas inhabited by tribal groups such as the Kukis. Although a large number of troops have been deployed and the interior minister has visited, deadly conflicts still continue.

Currently, an indefinite curfew is imposed in three regions of Manipur. The state government said that internet and mobile data services will be suspended until Sunday to curb misinformation and hate speech that may trigger violence. On Tuesday, police threw tear gas at hundreds of students who tried to march to the governor's residence in Manipur and demand the restoration of peace. Student leaders said they gave the governor 24 hours to respond to a series of demands, including removing the state's top police official and security advisor. A senior police officer in the state capital called on students to protest peacefully and said that the police are investigating the recent drone attacks. The students are frustrated by the authorities' failure to resolve the 16-month-long conflict.