Manipur on the boil again: Protests after fresh violence, Internet snapped in valley districts

Significantly, the Home Department had initially issued an order for suspending internet services in the entire state and then issued an amended order in the evening, restricting the move to these five districts.

It states, “There is apprehension that some anti-social elements might use social media extensively for transmission of images, hate speech and hate video messages inciting the passions of the public, which might have serious repercussions for the law-and-order situation in the State of Manipur.”

It goes on to cite an “imminent danger of loss of life and/or damage to public/private property, and widespread disturbances to public tranquillity and communal harmony, as a result of inflammatory material and false rumours” circulated through social media and messaging services.

It states that the decision has been taken “to thwart the design and activities of anti-national and anti-social elements”.

Mobile internet services in Manipur had been restored on December 3 last year, after being suspended since May 3 – except for a few days in September. It had come with a caveat, instructing users to “refrain from activities which may cause situations which will warrant for suspension of internet services in future”. Broadband services had been conditionally restored following a government order in July last year. The current internet suspension comes 16 months after the violence had first started on May 3.

The district administrations of both Imphal East and Imphal West had also imposed indefinite curfew starting from 11:00 am on Tuesday, citing “the developing law and order situation”.

The Imphal West administration has restricted “the movement of any person(s) outside their respective residences” until further orders, exempting essential services and the media. A similar order was also issued by the Thoubal district administration.

Further, the state education department ordered that all schools and colleges remain closed on Wednesday and Thursday. Scheduled exams by the Manipur University have been postponed until further notice.

Manipur Governor Lakshman Acharya’s office also issued a statement on Tuesday expressing “deep concern.”

A statement issued by the Raj Bhawan read, “The Governor has said that violence is not the solution to any problem… In his bid to solve the problem with the help of the public, the Hon’ble Governor is constantly speaking to public leaders, students and the people.”

Eleven people have been killed in different incidents in Manipur since September 11, prompting students to hold massive protests in the valley areas, particularly in Thoubal and Imphal.

Speaking to reporters in Imphal on Tuesday, IGP (Administration) K Jayanta Singh said, “The crisis is very serious now. It is time when security forces are required to meet any attack in the fringe areas. The current agitation of the students has forced the deployment of security forces and spending of resources on dealing with the agitators.”

“During such difficult times, when security forces are needed to commit to protecting lives and properties in fringe areas from attacks, miscreants and anti-socials are taking opportunities of such an agitation to target security forces,” he said.

A large number of protesters had camped overnight in the Khwairamband women’s market in Imphal after having given a 24-hour ultimatum for their demands, which include removal of central forces, the DGP, and the state’s Security Advisor. They also want the unified command of the security forces of the state to be handed over to Chief Minister N Biren Singh and are pushing the demand for the abrogation of Suspension of Operation agreements with Kuki-Zo militant groups.

On Tuesday afternoon, in defiance of the curfew that had already been imposed, the protesters began to move towards the high security zone in Imphal, which includes the Raj Bhawan and the Chief Minister’s official residence. This resulted in a confrontation between protesters and the police and security forces in Khwairamband that lasted several hours, in which security forces deployed tear gas shells. Over 60 protesters were injured and shifted to RIMS Imphal West for treatment, confirmed hospital authorities.

On Tuesday evening, some of the student protesters met the Governor in the Raj Bhawan after which they told reporters that “ the Governor assured to try level best to grant the demands”.