Imphal: The Manipur government has imposed a five-day ban on mobile internet services across five districts to prevent the spread of misinformation following last week’s drone attack.
An indefinite curfew has also been enforced in Imphal districts, but despite this, more than a thousand students staged protests in the state capital for the second consecutive day, opposing the drone and missile attacks. Armed forces responded with tear gas and firing into the air, NDTV reported.
Today, students met with the Governor, presenting a six-point demand, and were assured that their concerns would be discussed with the government of India and state authorities. The GoI has sent two additional battalions of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) to the state, adding 2,000 troops to Manipur, which has been grappling with violence since May of last year.
All educational institutions, both government and private, have been ordered closed by the Higher and Technical Education Department until September 12. Manipur University has also postponed exams as student protests continue to disrupt normal operations.
In the meantime, joint operations conducted by the army, Assam Rifles, and other armed forces across various districts have led to the recovery of substantial arms and ammunition. The state’s police chief, IK Muviah, announced that evidence from the drone bombing incident will likely be handed over to central investigative agencies. Forensic labs are currently analysing bomb fragments to determine the chemicals used in the attack.
Since May 2023, over 200 people have lost their lives and thousands have been displaced in ethnic violence between the Imphal Valley-based Meiteis and the hill-based Kukis. The Meitei community is advocating for inclusion in the Scheduled Tribes category, while the Kukis are seeking a separate administration due to what they describe as resource and power disparities.
