Curfew was imposed in eight districts of Manipur on Wednesday and mobile internet services were suspended in the entire northeastern state in view of the violence during the tribal agitation. The violence had erupted during the ‘Adivasi Ekta March’ called by a students’ body to protest the demand for inclusion of the Meitei community in the Scheduled Tribe (ST) category.
Police fired tear gas shells to control the crowd
The All Tribal Students’ Union of Manipur (ATSUM) said the demand for inclusion of the Meitei community in the ST category is gaining momentum, against which it has called for a march. A senior police officer said thousands of agitators took part in the rally and there were reports of violence between tribals and non-tribals in Torbang area. To control the crowd, the police fired tear gas shells, the official said.
mobile internet services closed for 5 days but broadband services on
He said the situation remained tense but many agitators have started returning to their homes in different parts of the hills. In view of the situation, curfew has been imposed in non-tribal dominated Imphal West, Kakching, Thoubal, Jiribam and Bishnupur districts and tribal dominated Churachandpur, Kangpokpi and Tengnoupal districts, he said. Mobile internet services have been suspended across the state for five days with immediate effect but broadband services are operational. Separate orders regarding imposition of curfew have been issued by the administration of eight districts.
