Government schools shut, internet suspension extended amid violence in Manipur

In response to escalating ethnic violence and the imposition of a curfew in multiple districts.

The Manipur government has announced the closure of all government-run educational institutions in Imphal West and Imphal East. This includes schools, colleges, and universities, which will remain shut until November 19, 2024.

The decision, taken by the Higher and Technical Education Department in consultation with the Home Department, aims to prioritise the safety of students, teachers, and staff amidst the volatile situation.

The closures come on the heels of the discovery of six bodies in Jiribam district, believed to be those of missing persons, which has sparked widespread protests and intensified the already precarious law-and-order situation in the state.

Authorities have also imposed a complete internet shutdown in seven districts, including the curfew-affected areas, to curb the spread of misinformation and prevent the situation from spiralling further out of control. The shutdown, which was earlier in place till November 18, has been extended for two more days, till November 20.

The blackout, a drastic measure, reflects the gravity of the crisis, as public demonstrations grow and tensions spill into new areas.

As violence escalates, the central government has deployed additional security forces to Manipur, with 50 companies of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF), comprising more than 5,000 personnel, arriving to bolster the state’s existing resources.

Further intensifying the crackdown, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has taken over three critical cases from the Manipur Police.

These include the brutal murder of a woman by armed militants on November 8, the attack on a CRPF post in Jiribam on November 11, and subsequent incidents of arson and killings in the Borobekra area. These cases, marked by extreme violence, have heightened tensions across the state.

The impact of the unrest has been far-reaching. In Imphal, the closure of educational institutions underscores the growing disruption to daily life, with authorities seeking to prevent any violence from spreading to campuses or other public spaces. For students and educators, the shutdown has brought uncertainty and anxiety as they await the restoration of peace.

The state government has urged citizens to cooperate with law enforcement agencies and to maintain calm during this challenging time. However, the deep-seated ethnic tensions fuelling the violence suggest that long-term peace will require significant effort and reconciliation.