On Tuesday, the Manipur government imposed an internet ban in five districts of the Imphal Valley and a curfew in two, following a second day of violent student protests against escalating violence in the state. More than 50 students were hurt when police clashed with demonstrators attempting to storm the Raj Bhavan and the Chief Minister’s house, which are both located within 200 meters of one other.
According to hospital officials, several of the injured were taken to Imphal’s Regional Institute of Medical Sciences, where a girl in serious condition was brought to the intensive care unit.
The protests erupted after students broke the Imphal West administration’s curfew from 5 a.m. to 10 a.m. in the Khwairamband market area, where protesters had set up overnight. As additional people joined the march to the Raj Bhavan, security officers deployed tear gas to disperse them, resulting in violent clashes.
Meanwhile, Manipur University students marched separately, demanding the expulsion of the State’s security adviser, Kuldiep Singh, and Director General of Police, Rajiv Singh, for failing to safeguard civilians. The protesters also demanded the resignation of all state legislators on moral grounds.
The government’s decision to impose the curfew and internet ban is aimed at preventing further unrest as tensions remain high across the state.