Manipur Again

More than two years after violent ethnic strife erupted in Manipur that claimed the lives of hundreds of civilians and split the state between two warring communities, peace and normalcy still remain elusive with sporadic incidents of violence being reported every now and then.

- SRI AUROBINDO

In the latest such incident, violent protests erupted over reports of the arrest of a leader of the Meitei outfit Arambai Tenggol on 7 June. Protesters set fire to tyres and furniture on the streets of Kwakeithel and Uripok, calling for the release of the Meitei leader. At Kwakeithel, several gunshots were heard, though it remains unclear who fired them or if anyone was injured. Clashes erupted between protesters and security forces at various locations in Imphal, the state capital, while a mob set a bus ablaze in Khurai Lamlong, located in the Imphal East district. Security forces fired multiple rounds of tear gas to disperse the crowd near Kangla Gate, about 200 metres from the Raj Bhavan in Imphal. The administration has clamped prohibitory orders in five districts -- Imphal West, Imphal East, Thoubal, Bishnupur, and Kakching. Additionally, internet and mobile data services, including VSAT and VPN access, have been suspended in these valley regions.