In Manipur, the police have arrested 33 individuals following a resurgence of ethnic violence. The state has been placed under curfew and subjected to an internet blackout in response to the escalating unrest, authorities confirmed on Thursday.
The conflict in Manipur, which began in May 2023, involves clashes between the predominantly Hindu Meitei majority and the mainly Christian Kuki community. This ethnic strife has resulted in the deaths of at least 200 people.
Recent months of relative calm have been shattered by new violence, with at least 11 more fatalities reported this month. The situation has intensified, with insurgents using rockets and drones to launch attacks.
According to a police statement, "In the follow-up to the violent protests in recent days, Manipur Police has arrested 33 people and apprehended seven juveniles." The statement urged the public to "cooperate with law enforcement agencies in maintaining peace and normalcy."
The authorities have reimposed an internet shutdown in several regions, echoing the prolonged blackout from last year. A curfew has also been put in place, though hundreds in the state capital, Imphal, have defied the order.
On Tuesday, Meitei protesters marched through Imphal, demanding that security forces take stronger action against Kuki insurgent groups, whom they blame for the recent attacks.
The long-standing tension between the Meitei and Kuki communities is driven by competition for land and public jobs. Rights activists have criticized local leaders for exacerbating ethnic divisions for political advantage.
The state of Manipur is governed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party. The violence last year displaced approximately 60,000 people, many of whom have yet to return to their homes.
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