Internet Suspended, Section 144 Declared And Army Called In - Why Is Manipur On The Edge?
The Army and Assam Rifles were requisitioned in the night, and along with the state police, the forces arrested the violence. The Manipur government had suspended internet service to stop the spread of violence.
The Indian Army and Assam Rifles have deployed in parts of Manipur as the northeastern state has seen widespread violence for days now.
The Army and Assam Rifles were requisitioned in the night, and along with the state police, the forces arrested the violence by the morning, the spokesperson said.
Internet suspended in Manipur
On Wednesday, the Manipur government had suspended internet service to stop the spread of the violence.
"Internet services suspended in Manipur for five days amid incidents of fighting among youths, and volunteers of different communities as a rally was organised by All Tribals Students Union (ATSU) Manipur in protest against the demand for inclusion of Meitei/Meetei in the ST category," a government statement said.
My state Manipur is burning, kindly help @narendramodi @PMOIndia @AmitShah @rajnathsingh @republic @ndtv @IndiaToday pic.twitter.com/VMdmYMoKqP
¡ª M C Mary Kom OLY (@MangteC) May 3, 2023
According to the government, the suspension comes in light of some anti-social elements using social media extensively to transmit images, hate speech and hate video messages.
"Some anti-social elements are using social media extensively for the transmission of images, hate speech and hate video messages inciting the passions of the public. Social media has also become a handy tool for rumour mongers arid is being used to incite the general public Wheal might have serious repercussions for the law and order situation in the State of Manipur," it read.
1.A Peace rally organised by the Tribals against the Incumbent Manipur Government.
¡ª Seigunlien Khongsai (@khs_seigunlien) May 3, 2023
2.But some couldn't stand the 'Unity of the Tribals' and turned into a disastrous ending.#TribalSolidarityMarch #TribalUnity #manipurisburning pic.twitter.com/krbSE4H8fG
Curfew in eight districts
Curfew was imposed in eight Manipur districts, including Churachandpur, which has seen the worst flare-up in tensions.
We didn't harm any Meiteis in Churachandpur we took good care of them and give them shelters.
¡ª Chingngaihning (@chingngaihning) May 4, 2023
While on the other hand our Meiteis brother&sister attacked and burned down more than 14 of the churches. Many houses of the tribal's were destroyed to#manipurisburning #manipurtribal pic.twitter.com/7FHV21mUTn
Tensions have been brewing in Manipur for some time over the government's move to grant Scheduled Tribe (ST) status to the non-tribal Meiteis people, who dominate the Imphal Valley.
#manipurisburning very disheartened to hear the happenings in Manipur right now. Tribal Houses are attacked and burnt down. Churches are burnt down, Private properties burnt down, Tear gas and open fires? just for fighting our rights?? pic.twitter.com/qb87NTTcck
¡ª hem (@sadisticqueer) May 3, 2023
Who are Meiteis?
Meiteis, who make up 53 per cent of the state's population, inhabit the Valley, which accounts for about a tenth of the former princely state's land area. They claim they are facing problems given "large-scale illegal immigration by Myanmarese and Bangladeshis".
Tribals in Imphal attacked. Seen here is a disturbing visuals of Kuki Baptist Church in New Lambulane of Imphal vandalised & set ablaze by fire. State of anarchy! #ManipurOnFire #ManipurIsBurning #WeNeedPresidentRule #StopViolence pic.twitter.com/GZuRoxJnlh
¡ª Dennis Hmar (@DennisHrangchal) May 3, 2023
The Scheduled Tribe Demand Committee Manipur (STDCM), which is spearheading the movement for the inclusion of Meiteis in the ST category, said the demand is being made not merely for reservation in jobs, educational institutions and tax relief, but "more to protect our ancestral land, culture and identity", which they claimed was being "threatened by illegal migration from Myanmar, Bangladesh and by people from outside the state".
Not just about ST status for Meiteis
However, tribal communities in the state fear that grating ST status to the non-tribal Meiteis will take away their rights.
They also allege that the government is pushing tribals out of their land by declaring them reserve forests.
Burning continues in Manipur. Even in the heart of Imphal city, churches are being targeted. So how do you expect peace when the perpetrators are the majority, and govt turns a blind eye?#ManipurOnFire #manipurisburning https://t.co/FZq7TZ6TQK pic.twitter.com/QZp0LXUKnK
¡ª kakai_kips (@vanglen_pa) May 3, 2023
The hill districts, which account for much of the state's land mass, are inhabited mostly by tribals - including the Nagas and Kukis - who are protected from encroachments by valley people through various laws.
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Bobins Abraham is the Assistant News Editor at Indiatimes. He has more than twelve years of experience in TV and digital journalism. An avid student of history and geopolitics, he is a conservationist and environmentalist at heart. He writes on environment, sustainability, human-animal conflict and more.
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