Ethnic Clashes
In response to escalating ethnic violence and clashes between protesters and police, India’s northeastern state of Manipur has imposed a comprehensive internet blackout and curfew, effective Tuesday.
This latest measure comes after a spate of deadly unrest, marking a troubling escalation in a region already marred by ethnic discord.
For over a year, Manipur has been plagued by periodic and violent clashes between the predominantly Hindu Meitei majority and the primarily Christian Kuki community.
This ongoing conflict has fragmented the state into ethnic enclaves, heightening tensions and leading to significant instability.
The recent surge in violence resulted in the deaths of at least 11 individuals last week, reigniting hostilities after a brief period of relative calm. The state’s home ministry has now ordered a shutdown of all internet and mobile data services for a duration of five days.
The decision aims to curb the spread of misinformation and prevent the misuse of social media by anti-social elements who might incite further unrest.
According to the official notice, the blackout is intended to “maintain law and order” by halting the dissemination of disinformation and provocative content that could inflame public sentiments.
This strategy echoes a similar approach taken during the initial outbreak of violence last year, which saw internet services suspended for months and displaced approximately 60,000 people from their homes.
Despite the curfew, hundreds of Meitei protesters in the state capital, Imphal, defied the restrictions, demanding more aggressive action from security forces against Kuki insurgent groups.
These groups are blamed for the recent attacks that exacerbated the violence. Indian television networks captured scenes of police using tear gas to disperse the defiant crowd.
Further complicating the situation, student-led protests on Monday turned violent as demonstrators hurled stones and plastic bottles at security forces.
In another district, some protesters managed to seize police firearms and fired upon law enforcement, injuring officers in the process. One police personnel was shot in the left thigh, while another sustained injuries from an unknown projectile.
The unrest was fueled by a series of insurgent attacks involving improvised weapons and drones, which contributed to the recent deaths and signaled a “significant escalation” in the conflict, according to police reports.
The long-standing discord between the Meitei and Kuki communities centers on competition for land and public employment. Critics, including human rights activists, accuse local leaders of exploiting these ethnic divisions for political advantage.
The current situation is further complicated by the state’s governance under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which adds a layer of political tension to the already volatile environment.
As Manipur grapples with this severe crisis, the state’s residents face heightened uncertainty and insecurity amid the enforced restrictions and ongoing violence.
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