Manipur: Following violent ethnic clashes and confrontations between protesters and police in the northeastern Indian state of Manipur, the government has imposed a curfew and shut down internet services in the state.
According to an AFP report, a notice from the state’s Home Department stated that internet and mobile data services have been suspended for five days to control the current tense situation.
The notice mentioned that some anti-social elements might use social media to disseminate images, hate speech, and inflammatory video messages, which could incite public unrest.
The Home Department emphasized the need to take appropriate measures to maintain public order by preventing false news and rumors.
Last year, internet services were suspended in Manipur for several months due to similar riots, and government statistics indicated that over 60,000 people were displaced during the unrest.
Thousands of residents in the state remain displaced due to ongoing ethnic tensions and have not yet been able to return home.
It is noteworthy that over the past year, intermittent riots have occurred between Hindu Meitei and Christian Kuki communities in Manipur over various issues, including government jobs, leading to a division in the state.
In the past week alone, 11 people have been killed in clashes between the two communities, although the region had experienced peace for several months prior.