Why has the Manipur government imposed a curfew in five districts?

Imphal, June 8 (NationPress) Following the suspension of Internet and mobile data services for five consecutive days across five districts in the Imphal valley, local authorities have declared an indefinite curfew in these areas.

This decision was made after violent demonstrations erupted in Manipur in response to the detention of a leader and four members of the radical Meitei group 'Arambai Tenggol', as reported by officials on Sunday.

A senior official stated that the curfew was enacted under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) in the five districts—Imphal West, Imphal East, Thoubal, Bishnupur, and Kakching—for an indefinite duration.

The district magistrates of these areas, predominantly populated by the Meitei community, issued separate orders early on Sunday, banning gatherings of five or more individuals and the possession of sticks, stones, firearms, or sharp objects under Section 163 of the BNSS.

Late Saturday night, Internet and mobile data services, including VSAT and VPN access, were halted in the five valley districts.

In an order issued late Saturday night, Manipur's Commissioner-cum-Secretary (Home), N. Ashok Kumar, stated, “Given the current law and order conditions in Manipur, particularly in Imphal West, Imphal East, Thoubal, Kakching, and Bishnupur districts, there is concern that certain anti-social elements could exploit social media to disseminate images, hate speech, and provocative videos that may escalate public unrest, severely impacting the law and order situation.”

The official noted that the detained leader of Arambai Tenggol, Kanan Singh, along with four other members, is expected to be presented in a local court on Sunday.

Law enforcement has yet to reveal the reasons behind the arrests of the five Arambai Tenggol members.

The atmosphere in the five Imphal valley districts has remained extremely tense since Saturday evening. A large deployment of both Central and state security forces, led by senior officials, has been established in these districts, particularly in Imphal East and Imphal West, to restore order.

In protest against the arrests of Arambai Tenggol members, numerous demonstrators, both men and women, set fire to tyres and old furniture on key roads in Kwakeithel and Uripok in Imphal West District, demanding the immediate release of those detained. Protesters also surrounded critical installations. In some instances, activists from Arambai Tenggol engaged in symbolic protests by dousing themselves in petrol against the arrests. Local residents reported hearing several gunshots in Kwakeithel, but could not confirm who fired them or whether there were any injuries.

The opposition Congress party criticized the state government over the escalating violence in Manipur. State Congress President Keisham Meghachandra Singh expressed on his X handle, “There is a lack of dialogue for peace, and the constitutional mechanisms are failing in Manipur. The people are suffering and feel utterly helpless.”