On Thursday, India imposed a curfew in its capital and specific areas of the restive state of Manipur in response to the violence that erupted during protests against the alleged abduction and murder of two students. Authorities reported that these clashes injured numerous students.
Ethnic tensions have plunged the northeastern state, which borders Myanmar, into a fierce civil conflict. This conflict involves disputes over land, employment opportunities, and political influence between the state’s two largest local groups.
L. Kailun, a senior police official stationed in the state capital, stated that they had enforced an indefinite curfew in Imphal and other districts.
During the clashes on Wednesday, more than 80 students sustained injuries, as confirmed by another police official speaking anonymously. The situation became “extremely tense” after armed mobs carried out attacks on an office of the ruling political party and aimed petrol bombs at two police facilities.
Officials also announced the suspension of mobile internet services in the state for a period of five days.
Since May 3, violence has claimed the lives of over 180 people.
Population
The state has a population of 3.2 million, and it is characterized by a division where slightly more than half are members of the Meitei community, while the Kuki community, making up about 43%, primarily resides in the hilly regions.
Protests reignited because of the alleged kidnapping and murder of two Meitei community students who had gone missing in July. Someone discovered their bodies this week, reigniting ethnic tensions.
N. Biren Singh, the state’s chief minister and a leader of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s party, strongly condemned the alleged murder and promised severe punishment for the perpetrators.
Family members of the students and Meitei leaders have accused Kuki militants of the recent killings while criticizing authorities for their inability to quell the violence.
A spokesperson for a Kuki civil society group did not provide an immediate comment on the latest incidents.
Leaders of the opposition Congress party have accused the Modi government of failing to control the violence in a state governed by his nationalist party.
