Curfew Imposed Again in Manipur; Internet Shut Down Amid Ongoing Violence
Imphal: Violence continues unabated in Manipur, and student protests show no signs of ending. Instead, the protests are becoming increasingly violent. A day after pelting stones at the Raj Bhavan and attacking central security forces, students once again clashed with security personnel on Tuesday. Protesters marching towards the Raj Bhavan hurled stones and used slingshots against security forces, prompting the forces to respond with tear gas.
In response to the escalating situation, a curfew has been imposed in Imphal East, Imphal West, and Thoubal. Meanwhile, hundreds of protesting students have regrouped at the Ima Market after demonstrating in front of the Chief Minister’s Secretariat and Raj Bhavan. Despite police urging them to disperse, the students continue to gather, reiterating their demands. The government has ordered a five-day internet shutdown in five districts, excluding the hill districts. Amid the deteriorating conditions, Manipur University has postponed all undergraduate and postgraduate examinations.
Considering the violent protests and ongoing clashes between the Kuki and Meitei communities, the central government has decided to deploy additional security forces to Manipur. Reports indicate that on Tuesday, the central government decided to send 2,000 personnel of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) to the state. One battalion will be deployed from Warangal, Telangana, and the other from Latehar, Jharkhand. The battalion headquarters will be set up in Kangvai, Churachandpur district, while the other battalion will be stationed around Imphal. These forces will also be equipped with anti-drone guns to counter drone attacks.
Notably, on September 9, students pelted stones at the Raj Bhavan in Imphal and attacked security forces, leading the police to fire tear gas and rubber bullets, injuring over 20 people. Subsequently, on the night of September 9, women from the Meitei community organized a torchlight procession in protest against drone attacks, demonstrating at the Raj Bhavan and the Chief Minister’s residence.
The protesting students are demanding the removal of the state’s Director General of Police (DGP) and the state’s Security Advisor. Additionally, they are calling for the Unified Command, led by former CRPF DG Kuldeep Singh, to be handed over to the state government—a demand that Chief Minister N. Biren Singh also raised in his recent meeting with the Governor.