There has been a rise in fresh ethnic tension in Manipur’s capital city Imphal on the morning of Monday, May 22nd, after a mob set a few abandoned houses on fire.
Following this arson, the state government decided to shorten the curfew relaxation by two hours. While the curfew was earlier relaxed from 6am to 4pm, now it will be relaxed from 6am to 2pm.
Security personnel have reportedly reached the spot in Imphal to douse the fire, and the Indian Army and paramilitary troops have been called in to control the situation.
The state witnessed violent clashes earlier this month between the Meitei and Kuki communities. At least 70 were reported dead, over 200 injured and thousands have been displaced due to the violence. The situation in Manipur remains tense since the violence.
Mobile internet is still snapped and several companies of security forces remain deployed throughout the violence-prone state.
According to officials, a riot broke out in Imphal East district’s New Checkon Bazaar area around 10.30 am on Monday. It escalated into violent clashes and around 2pm, the mob burned down houses. Police said they arrested three people for their alleged involvement in the incident.
A day earlier, the ban on the internet was extended by the state government for five more days citing reports of continued “incidents like arson of houses and premises”.
“There is apprehension that 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”, an official order said.
“This order is being issued to prevent any disturbances of peace and public order in the jurisdiction of the State of Manipur and shall be in force for another five days with immediate effect from the time this suspension order becomes operational till 3 pm of 26-05-2023 (sic)”, it added.
