In response to escalating clashes between protesters and police, authorities in Manipur, a state in northern India, implemented a five-day internet blackout and an indefinite curfew in three districts on Tuesday. The government also ordered the closure of public and private universities due to ongoing student protests.
The state government issued a statement saying that these actions were necessary "to maintain public order and curb the spread of disinformation and rumors."
Manipur has witnessed intense violence between the Meitei community, which is predominantly Hindu, and the Kuki community, mostly Christian. The conflict intensified on September 1, with reports of drones being used to drop explosives.
On Monday, hundreds of Meitei students took to the streets to protest against the attacks, which have claimed at least 11 lives. In an effort to disperse the demonstrators, who reportedly threw stones and bottles near the governor's residence, police resorted to tear gas and stun grenades. According to local reports, around 45 people were injured during the clashes.
Protesters demanded the removal of the state's top police official and security adviser, giving Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya a 24-hour ultimatum to act, according to the Press Trust of India.
The violence in Manipur began last year over disagreements regarding the allocation of economic benefits and quotas in government jobs and educational opportunities, primarily between the Meitei and Kuki communities. The ongoing clashes have claimed at least 225 lives and displaced around 60,000 people.
Students have expressed growing frustration with the authorities, accusing them of failing to find a solution to the conflict.
Manipur, home to about 3.7 million people, is governed by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). So far, neither Modi nor BJP officials have commented on the recent violence.
This is not the first time Manipur has experienced an internet shutdown. Last year, the state imposed one of India's longest internet blackouts following the initial outbreak of violence.
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