New Delhi: Amidst the escalating violence and protests in Manipur, authorities have imposed an indefinite curfew in Imphal East and Imphal West districts, effective Tuesday (September 10), under section 163 of BNSS, 2023.
The administration on Tuesday has also imposed a ban on internet and mobile data services including lease lines, VSATs, broadbands and VPN services for five days across the state. Later, a revised order was issued in which the administration underlined that the internet ban was only for the valley districts and hill districts were excluded.
“In view of the prevailing law and order situation in the State of Manipur, there is an apprehension that some anti-social elements might use social media extensively for transmission of images, hate speech and hate video messages inciting the passions of the public which might have serious repercussions for the law and order situation in the State of Manipur,” the order mentioned.
The revised order issued by the Manipur government to ban internet.
Imphal Free Press reported that thousands of protesters, including students, took to the streets in the state capital, defying the curfew imposed by authorities resulting in clashes between the police and the demonstrators.
According to PTI, over 40 students were injured in the clashes.
Manipur governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya has appealed for calm and restraint.
“In the wake of the sudden spurt of violent incidents, Governor Shri Lakshman Prasad Acharya expressed deep concern. The Governor has said that violence is not the solution to any problem. Everyone will have to contribute and find ways to overcome this problem. In his bid to solve the problem with the help of the public, the Hon’ble Governor is constantly speaking to public leaders, students and the people in general. Moreover, dedicated efforts are being made in this regards,” the governor’s secretariat said in a statement.
On Sunday night, a retired army personnel from the Kuki-Zo community was fatally beaten in Imphal West district after he unintentionally entered a Meitei-dominated area.
The victim, Limkholoi Mate, a former havildar from Kangpokpi district, was found dead in Sekmai, Imphal West, on Monday morning, The Telegraph reported. He had reportedly gone to Leimakhong to drop a friend but was assaulted when he crossed the buffer zone between Kuki-Zo and Meitei areas while returning.
Notably, Mate’s death has exposed the deepening rift between the Kuki-Zos and the Meiteis, driven by conflict and safety apprehensions, with each community unable to venture into the other’s territory.
A source informed The Telegraph that Mate’s son lodged a zero FIR with the Gamnom Saparmeina police station in Kangpokpi on Monday morning, accusing unknown individuals of abducting and murdering his father. The case has been forwarded to the Imphal West police for further probe and appropriate action.
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Meanwhile, on Monday, thousands of students gathered in front of the Manipur secretariat and Raj Bhavan, protesting against the recent drone and missile attacks and demanding swift action against those responsible. They called for robust measures to safeguard the state’s territorial and administrative integrity, emphasising the need for protection and stability in the region. They also sought the resignation of top officials and MLAs for their alleged failure to control the violence, the report added.
The protests turned violent, with police using force to disperse the crowd. Manipur chief minister Biren Singh later met with a student delegation and promised to address their concerns.
Separate protests were held in Kangpokpi against the proposed removal of Assam Rifles battalions and deterioration in security. Torch-light protests in Imphal on Sunday night prompted police to fire tear gas.
Also read: ‘Security Forces Dropped Their Guard in Manipur, I Fear Prolonged Violence Now’: Pradip Phanjoubam
In a separate incident, the Manipur police announced on Sunday night that three of the five individuals killed in a gunfight between armed groups in Jiribam district on Saturday were identified as members of the Kuki Liberation Army (KLA), an insurgent group. Another deceased was confirmed to be a member of the United National Liberation Front (UNLF) (P), a Meitei insurgent group, Deccan Herald reported.
According to the police, the three KLA members were residents of Churachandpur and had apparently traveled to Jiribam to carry out subversive activities. The UNLF (P) member was a local resident of Jiribam. This incident occurred just hours after a rocket attack in Moirang, Bishnupur district, claimed the life of an elderly Meitei man. Although the police attributed the rocket attack to the Kukis, they have denied any involvement, the DH report added.
