Manipur Violence: Indefinite curfew imposed in strife-hit areas; Mobile internet services suspended

Amid ongoing student protests in Manipur, the state government has imposed a curfew in the state capital, Imphal and neighboring districts. Mobile internet services have been suspended in the state for five days.

"Indefinite curfew had to be implemented in Imphal and in some other districts," L. Kailun, a senior police official told Reuters on Thursday.

The fresh bout of violence was triggered by the alleged abduction and murder of two students from the Meitei community. The student mob hurled petrol bombs at the state capital's deputy commissioner's office, and two four-wheelers were set on fire. The BJP office was also attacked by the protestors on Tuesday.


More than 80 students were injured in Wednesday's clashes, another police official said on condition of anonymity.

How the riot started

The first violence was reported on May 3, 2023 in Torbung area in Churachandpur district during the 'Tribal Solidarity March' organised by the All Tribal Student Union Manipur (ATSUM) who were demanding Scheduled Tribe (ST) status for the Meitei community.

During the march in Torbung, an armed mob allegedly attacked people of the Meitei community, leading to retaliatory attacks in the valley districts, which escalated the violence throughout the state. Another trigger was eviction of Kuki villages which the government said were encroaching on protected forest areas. Sentiment against the Meitei community was ready to blow up and these factors provided enough sparks.

Then a fresh wave of protest was reported in the state when Kulki community women were assaulted and paraded naked on the streets. Now protests are re-ignited over the alleged kidnapping and killing of two students of the Meitei community.

The state's chief minister, N. Biren Singh denounced the alleged murder, and vowed maximum punishment for the culprits.

Members of the students' families and Meitei leaders have accused Kuki militants of the latest killing, and criticised authorities for failing to end the violence.

Since the violence first erupted on May 3, more than 180 people have been killed and over 50,000 have fled their homes in Manipur. Out of Manipur's population, 3.2 million belong to Meitei community, with the Kuki community making up 43%.