India’s BJP-ruled state of Manipur is once again reeling from ethnic violence. In the last few days, the number of dead has reached 11 in the clashes.
People took to the streets to express their anger against the state government. Students also took to the streets. Government buildings were attacked. All in all, the situation has become murky again.
Curfew has been imposed in Imphal East and Imphal West districts of Manipur due to the prevailing law and order situation. This curfew will continue indefinitely. Besides, the internet will be closed for 5 days. News from India Today, AFP.
Local media reported that the prohibitory order was issued under Section 163 of the Indian Civil Protection Code, 2023. People have been ordered to restrict movement outside their residences until further notice. In other words, curfew will remain in full force in Imphal East district until further orders.
However, people involved in essential services like health, electricity, PHED, press and electronic media and courts have been kept out of the curfew.
Besides, municipal officials, electricity workers, petrol pump workers, flight passengers and media workers have also been allowed to move despite the ban.
Meanwhile, local police said on Tuesday that a 46-year-old woman was killed in a clash between two armed groups in Manipur’s Kangpokpi district. The incident was reported to have taken place in the remote village of Thangbuh.
The name of the deceased woman is Nemjakhol Lungdim. His body has been handed over to his family after post-mortem at Churachandpu. It is reported that some houses in the village were also burnt and the locals were forced to flee to the nearby forest.
Also, the state government has banned internet usage in the state for 5 days. The decision to shut down the internet has been taken due to the fear that miscreants could incite violence in the state by spreading various pictures, videos and statements on social media.
Again, the central government’s role in bringing stability to the state by stopping the violence is also being criticized. In such a situation, Congress launched a new attack on Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Priyanka Gandhi, one of the party’s most prominent leaders, criticized Modi for not yet visiting the largely conflict-torn state.
He alleged that Prime Minister Modi had “made no effort to prevent” the ongoing violence and subsequent disaster in Manipur. In a sharp attack on the Indian Prime Minister, Priyanka said that the internal security of the country “does not depend on anyone’s wishes”. Manipur has been burning for almost one and a half years.
