Manipur has been plunged into further unrest as the state government imposed an indefinite curfew on Saturday afternoon in response to escalating violence across the valley districts.
The curfew, along with an internet shutdown that began in seven districts and was extended to two more on Sunday for two days, has severely disrupted daily life, with widespread restrictions on public and vehicular movement.
Security forces have restricted public vehicular movements, particularly in key areas of Imphal, including high-security zones around the Chief Minister’s Bungalow and Raj Bhawan, in an effort to contain the growing tensions.
The curfew and internet restrictions come after protests erupted in multiple locations, with residents rallying against the alleged atrocities committed by suspected Kuki militants.
Amid the curfew, protests erupted in different points and junctions in the valley district, where irate mobs in the afternoon stormed the residence of Mayang-Imphal AC MLA Kongkham Robindro.
This followed a day of heightened tensions, where protests spread across various localities of Imphal and mobs stormed residences of various minister and MLA’s residences including the chief minister’s residence at Luwangsangbam in Imphal East. In a bid to disperse the crowds, security forces resorted to tear gas and live ammunition, resulting in at least eight injuries.
Additionally, 23 individuals were arrested during the unrest. The arrests took place across Imphal East, Imphal West, and Bishnupur districts, with some of those detained found in possession of weapons and other incriminating materials.
The Manipur Police Control Room issued a statement confirming the violence, noting that the arrested individuals were apprehended with a .32 pistol, seven rounds of SBBL, and several mobile phones.
In response to the ongoing disturbances, security forces have conducted flag marches in sensitive areas, and senior police officials have been deployed to oversee law-and-order operations.
