- The last violence started after the arrest of members of the Meitei group.
- The crowd examined on the police storms set fire to bus and block roads.
- Police announce the curfew in 5 districts, including Imphal West.
Imphal: an Indian state torn by ethnic tensions imposed an internet closure and curfew after demonstrators clashed with security forces for the arrest of certain members of a radical group, the police announced on Sunday.
Manipur in northeast India has been shaken by periodic clashes for more than two years between the Hindui predominance majority of Meitei and the Kuki community mainly Christian who killed more than 250 people.
The last violence was launched on Saturday after reporting the arrest of five members, including a commander, from Arambai Tenggol, a radical group from Meitei.
Exasperated crowds demanding their release stormed a police station, set fire on a bus and blocked roads in parts of the Imphal state capital.
The Police of Manipur announced a curfew in five districts, including Imphal West and Bishnupur, due to the “situation in development of the law and the order”.
“Prohibited orders have been made by district magistrates. Citizens are invited to cooperate with the ordinances,” the police said in a statement.
Arambai Tenggol, who would have orchestrated violence against the Kuki community, also announced a 10 -day closure in the Valley districts.
The State Ministry of the Interior of the State has ordered the closure of all Internet and Mobile Data Services in volatile districts for five days to control the latest disorders.
Internet services were closed for months in Manipur during the initial epidemic of violence in 2023, which moved around 60,000 people from their homes according to government figures.
Thousands of state residents are still unable to go home due to current tensions.
Longtime tensions between Meitei and Kuki communities are around competition for land and public jobs.
Rights activists have accused local leaders to exacerbate ethnic divisions for political purposes.
