IMPHAL: Normal life has been badly affected in Indian state Manipur due to the indefinite curfew coupled with incidents of arson, violence, suspension of internet service and 10-day shutdown, called by the Meitei outfit Arambai Tenggol.
Manipur in India’s northÂeast has been rocked by periodic clashes for more than two years between the predominantly Hindu Meitei majority and the mainly Christian Kuki community that have killed more than 250 people.
To control the prevailing situation, the state government has banned mobile Internet and data services for five days and imposed an indefinite curfew in five Imphal valley districts — Imphal West, Imphal East, Thoubal, Bishnupur, and Kakching.
Arambai Tenggol has called the 10-day shutdown in Manipur from Sunday to protest against the arrest of their leader by Indian agencies.
The state has been rocked by violent protests since Saturday following the arrest of Meitei organisation Arambai Tenggol leader Kanan Singh and four others. Overnight, demonstrators held torchlight processions, set fire to a government building, and clashed repeatedly with security forces despite prohibitory orders in place.
Clashes ?were reported from various parts of Imphal, including Kwakeithel, Singjamei, Wangkhei, Yairipok and Khurai. The police resorted to firing tear gas shells and rubber bullets to disperse the mob. Protesters blocked roads with soil mounds and burnt tyres, causing widespread disruption and smoke-filled streets across the city.
In a significant act of arson, the Sub-Divisional Collector (SDC) Office at Yairipok Tulihal was set ablaze, resulting in partial destruction and loss of official records. The unrest has deepened as women’s groups also joined the protests.
On Saturday and Sunday the protesters set fire to some vehicles, including those belonging to the security forces.
A police official said that clashes between the protesters and the Indian forces took place in more than ten places in the five valley districts, injuring around 20 people including some forces personnel.
The office of the Sub-Divisional Collector (SDC) at Yairipok Tulihal in Imphal East district was set on fire causing partial damage to the office building and destruction of official records.
The situation continues to remain tense in the five districts, inhabited by the Meitei community people, as men and women protesters block several important roads with various materials.
In some places, Arambai Tenggol activists poured petrol over themselves in symbolic protests against the arrest.
