Curfew back in 3 Manipur districts, internet ban in 5 | Imphal News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: Ethnic melting pot Manipur, thought to be on the mend until a fresh outbreak of violence since Sept 1 resulted in 11 deaths, returned to shutdown mode on Tuesday after the administration clamped an indefinite total curfew in three districts, blocked broadband and mobile internet in five districts, and bolstered its 26,000-strong contingent of central armed police forces with two additional CRPF battalions.
Imphal East, Imphal West and Thoubal are the valley districts under curfew.
Internet and mobile data had been initially suspended in the entire state before the authorities amended the order, restricting the blackout to Imphal East, Imphal West, Thoubal, Bishnupur and Kakching for five days.
The trigger for the BJP-led state govt’s move was spiralling civilian unrest in the valley, with slogan-shouting student protesters in Imphal clashing with police and burning effigies. Banners declaring “Stop Indian proxy war” and “Go back central security forces” reflected the protesters’ defiance, which authorities blamed on social media channels allegedly spreading misinformation and inciting people.
Manipur’s current turmoil harked back to mid-2023, when much of Manipur would be under curfew for extended periods as mobs ran riot and militant outfits joined in the ethnic violence that created a hill-valley divide. Internet services, too, remained suspended in the state for months.
Officials cited “imminent danger to life and widespread disturbances because of inflammatory material and rumours” for the renewed internet blockade.
Tuesday’s protest by students was over the alleged administrative failure that allowed violence to erupt in May last year and enabled suspected tribal militant outfits to resume attacks on civilians in the valley this month. Thousands of students marched towards Raj Bhavan to demand the removal of DGP Rajiv Singh and the state govt’s security adviser Kuldiep Singh.
After an indefinite curfew was declared, a group of 50 students that had been tear-gassed by police Monday returned to the streets after spending the night in a market.
IGP (operations) IK Muivah urged the protesting students to refrain from violent acts of defiance. “Some groups with vested interest are the instigators. We are monitoring them,” he said.
Muivah said NIA was likely to join the probe into weaponised drones being used by suspected tribal militants in the recent attacks on villages and three India Reserve Battalion bunkers in the Imphal valley.