Internet services have been suspended across the valley districts of Manipur for five days, following violent protests that erupted on Saturday evening in the Imphal valley. The Manipur police confirmed the development around 2am on Sunday via social media platform X (formerly Twitter), sharing official orders regarding the suspension of mobile data services, the imposition of curfew in Bishnupur, and the enforcement of prohibitory orders in four other districts.
A curfew has been clamped in Bishnupur district, while Section 144 – barring the assembly of more than five individuals – has been invoked in Imphal East, Imphal West, Thoubal, and Kakching districts in an effort to contain unrest.
According to an order issued by the Commissioner and Home Secretary of Manipur, the shutdown of internet services was necessitated due to “an imminent danger of loss of life and/or damage to public/private property, and widespread disturbances to public tranquillity and communal harmony.” The directive cited concerns that “some 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.”
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The unrest was reportedly triggered by the arrest of five volunteers of the Meitei group Arambai Tenggol, including one of its commanders. Following their detention, an enraged mob stormed the Kwakeithel Police Outpost in Imphal West on Saturday evening, demanding their release. Security personnel fired multiple rounds to disperse the crowd. At least three individuals – including two journalists – were injured in the melee. Protests escalated in various parts of the Imphal valley, with demonstrators clashing with the security forces at multiple locations.
Meanwhile, the border town of Moreh in the Tengnoupal district witnessed a complete shutdown on Saturday as residents protested the arrest of a Kuki-Zo man. Although no violent incidents were reported from the town, tensions remain high. Moreh, which lies along the Indo-Myanmar border, is now on high alert.
As of Sunday morning, the state administration had not issued a formal statement addressing the disturbances or clarifying the arrests that have once again plunged Manipur into unrest.
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