Manipur burning: Violent clashes lead govt to ban internet, deploy extra troops amid increasing tension
The ethnic clashes in the state, which first began on May 3 last year, were reignited on Sep 1 when a woman and her minor daughter were killed, and several others were injured after militants fired indiscriminately and dropped grenades from drones during a gunfight with security forces near Koutruk in the Kangchup region of Imphal West district.
Pragya Kumari11 September 2024 08:32
Image: PTI
Amid escalating tensions in Manipur, following fresh violence that has led to the deaths of at least 11 people since Sep 1, the state government has imposed a five-day ban on mobile internet, broadband, and VPN services starting Sep 10.
The government took the action in order to curb misinformation and hate speech that could trigger more violence.
An order released by the Home Department of the state government reads, "In view of the prevailing law and order situation in the State of Manipur, there is 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."
"I hereby order temporary suspension/curbing of internet and mobile data services, including lease lines, VSATs, broadband, and VPN services, in the territorial jurisdiction of the State of Manipur for five days," the Manipur government's Joint Secretary (Home Department) said in the order.
The previous digital shutdown in Manipur lasted over 3,050 hours. The Kuki Students' Organization has demanded the restoration of internet services in the hill districts, accusing the government of shutting them down owing to turmoil in the valley.
“Since the problem is confined to the valley districts, why should the hill districts suffer?” they asked.
The administration has also enforced curfews in three districts: Imphal East, Imphal West, and Thoubal, to ensure public safety and prevent the dissemination of false information.
The Congress has urged the Union Home Minister to intervene, demanding remedial measures such as decisive action by security personnel to restore law and order.
Angomcha Bimol Akoijam, a Congress Member of Parliament (MP) from Inner Manipur, wrote to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, calling for a comprehensive probe into allegations of involvement by illegal immigrants, foreign entities, and the illicit drug mafia in the recent unrest.
Keeping an eye on the ongoing protests, the Higher Education Department has ordered that all government and private colleges in the state stay closed on Sep 11 and 12.
Conrad Sangma, the chief minister of Meghalaya, voiced alarm about the recent incidents of violence in Manipur and urged the Union government to intervene.
The government has directed the deployment of two new CRPF battalions totaling approximately 2,000 soldiers for security operations in the ethnically strife-torn region.
A total of 92 checkpoints have been set up across districts in Manipur, both in the hills and the valley. So far, 129 people have been detained for violations in various areas throughout the state.
The ethnic clashes in the state, which first began on May 3 last year, were reignited on Sep 1 when a woman and her minor daughter were killed, and several others were injured after militants fired indiscriminately and dropped grenades from drones during a gunfight with security forces near Koutruk in the Kangchup region of Imphal West district, Manipur.
The shooting occurred just a day after Kuki-Zo organizations staged protest rallies against Chief Minister N Biren Singh in Kangpokpi and Churachandpur districts.
Image: PTI
The attack was described as "highly deplorable and unfortunate" by the Manipur Home Department.
The Manipur police blamed the violence on Kuki militants, describing it as a "significant escalation" that used techniques "commonly used in general warfare."
Suspected Kuki insurgents attacked Nungchappi village, 229 km from the state capital Imphal, killing six people, including 63-year-old Yurembam Kulendra Singha of the Meitei tribe.
Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh strongly condemned the back-to-back terror attacks in Imphal West district, calling it an "act of terrorism" and condemning "such cowardly acts in the strongest terms" on Sep 3.
“We denounce all forms of violence, and the people of Manipur shall unite together against hate, division, and separatism,” Singh wrote on X.
“Dropping bombs on civilian populations and security forces by using drones is an act of terrorism, and I condemn such cowardly acts in the strongest terms,” he added.
The rockets were shot from elevated hills in Churachandpur district, aiming for the residential settlement of Tronglaobi, which is around 45 km from Imphal.
Police officers estimate that the rockets have a range of more than 3 km, signaling a substantial escalation in the region's ongoing conflict.
Due to the recent increase in violence in Manipur, including drone and rocket assaults, the state police have deployed anti-drone systems in the region and are in the process of procuring more anti-drone systems and weaponry.
Ongoing protest in Manipur
In another incident on Sep 6, crowds attempted to seize guns from the 2nd and 7th Manipur Rifles camps in Imphal. According to authorities, security forces used blank bullets and tear gas to deter them.
"At least five people, including a civilian, were killed as violence flared on Sep 7 between two warring ethnic communities in Manipur's Jiribam district," an official said.
Jiribam hosted recent peace discussions between Meitei and Hmar leaders, attended by security forces commanders. During the meeting, they all agreed to work toward peace.
On Sep 9, police said that a big mob "overpowered personnel on duty" in the Thoubal district, grabbed arms, and fired at them.
Manipur, a state of 3.2 million people, has been plagued by intermittent violence for more than a year between the largely Hindu Meitei and Christian Kukis communities over government jobs, education quotas, and economic benefits.
The conflict derives from hatred between Manipur's Meitei majority and the Kuki-Zo, one of the tribal groups in the state that account for roughly 16% of the population.
The Meitei are primarily Hindu and live in the city Imphal and the wealthy valley surrounding it, while the Kuki-Zo, who are overwhelmingly Christian, live in scattered communities in the state's hills.
A long-standing conflict between the two communities has centered on competition for land and public jobs, with rights activists accusing local authorities of exploiting ethnic divisions for political benefit.
Things came to a head in May 2023 over plans to recognize the Meitei as a Scheduled Tribe (ST), a status already granted to the Kuki.
The ST classification would provide Meiteis with affirmative action in the form of fixed quotas for government jobs and college admissions.
Kuki-Zo organizations staged protests over fears that the policies would diminish their entitlements, and the gatherings swiftly turned violent.
Protesters set fire to vehicles and structures, prompting Meitei mobs armed with firearms and petrol cans to attack Kuki-Zo communities in the hills.
Since violence escalated last year, at least 225 people have been killed and approximately 60,000 displaced.
