Manipur Enforces Curfew and Internet Ban After Arrests Spark Unrest
Tensions have flared once again in India’s north-eastern state of Manipur, where authorities have imposed a strict curfew and suspended internet services in response to violent protests. The unrest erupted after the arrest of five key leaders from Arambai Tenggol, a radical group linked to the Meitei community.
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) apprehended the group’s chief, Asem Kanan Singh, at Imphal Airport on Sunday. Singh and four others are accused of involvement in multiple criminal acts tied to the ethnic clashes that first erupted in the region in 2023.
The arrests have reignited turmoil in a region already scarred by longstanding tensions between the majority Meitei and minority Kuki communities. Over 250 people have been killed and thousands displaced since violence first broke out two years ago.
Protests erupted in Imphal and surrounding areas shortly after the arrests. Demonstrators torched a bus, stormed a police post, and clashed with security forces. Reports indicate that a 13-year-old boy was injured when officers used tear gas and live ammunition to control the crowds.
In a bid to restore order, the Manipur government imposed an indefinite curfew in at least one district and restricted gatherings in others. Mobile data and internet services have been suspended in five districts for five days. Arambai Tenggol has also declared a 10-day shutdown, intensifying the disruptions.
The situation has reignited political tensions as well. Priyanka Gandhi, a senior leader of the opposition Congress party, criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi for not engaging with the state’s leadership or visiting the region since the conflict began.
“It is the prime minister’s responsibility to ensure peace and security for the citizens of the country,” she posted on X (formerly Twitter), adding that failure to act amounts to neglecting national duty.
Earlier this year, the federal government placed Manipur under direct control following the resignation of the state’s chief minister amid mounting criticism. On Sunday, a multi-party delegation met the state governor to demand the release of the arrested Arambai Tenggol leaders after police questioning.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) continues to face mounting pressure over its handling of the crisis, with rights groups and opposition leaders accusing the government of inaction and mismanagement.
As the situation in Manipur remains volatile, all eyes are on the central government and security forces to prevent further escalation and restore calm in the troubled state.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oCM4uQ7EiFs
