Mobile Internet Suspended In Manipur Till Oct 1, Schools Closed As 45 Students Injured In Imphal Protests

Manipur Violence: The Mobile internet ban returns as at least 45 students were injured in the Imphal Valley during clashes with the police, who used tear gas shells and baton charges to disperse the agitators.

Security personnel stand guard during a protest against the killing of two youths who were allegedly kidnapped in July, in Imphal, Tuesday | A student, who was injured during a protest as the police fired tear gas shells and baton-charged the protestors. ( Image Source :PTI )

In response to escalating protests and unrest following the alleged kidnapping and killing of two youths in Manipur, mobile internet services have been suspended for five days, as per an order issued on Tuesday. These measures are set to remain in effect until 7.45 p.m. on October 1. The situation took a distressing turn on Tuesday when a police response to a protest resulted in injuries to a significant number of students. The protests erupted after photos of the bodies of the two youths went viral on social media.

According to officials cited by news agency PTI, 45 students were injured in the Imphal Valley during clashes with the police, who used tear gas shells and baton charges to disperse the agitators.

The students, primarily from schools and colleges in Imphal, demanded the immediate arrest of those responsible for the alleged kidnapping and killing. The situation turned volatile when security forces attempted to stop the protesters from advancing towards the chief minister’s secretariat in Sanjenthong, Imphal East district.

Officials from various private and government hospitals in Imphal East and West districts reported that 31 injured students are being treated in a private hospital, while 12 others have been admitted to two government facilities, as per PTI. An additional two students are receiving medical care in another private hospital.

Schools Closed Amid Imphal Protests

Given the prevailing law and order situation, the Manipur state government has declared that all government and private schools will be closed on Wednesday and Friday. Thursday is already designated as a public holiday in the state for Eid-e-Milad, the birth anniversary of Prophet Mohammad.

Photos of the missing students emerged on social media on Monday, prompting the Manipur government to urge the public to exercise restraint and allow authorities to investigate the kidnapping and killing. The two missing youths have been identified as Phijam Hemjit (20) and Hijam Linthoingambi (17).

Protests demanding justice for the slain youths also occurred in other areas of Imphal, including Uripok, Old Lambulane, and Singjamei in Imphal West district. Similar clashes between students and security forces have been reported in Thoubal, Kakching, and Bishnupur districts.

A student protester, Abungo Th, expressed frustration, stating, "The missing students were killed, and the government is yet to arrest the killers. The location of the bodies where they have been buried is still unknown. The government is reluctant to take action", PTI reported.

In a late-night statement from Chief Minister N Biren Singh's secretariat on Monday, it was announced that the case had been handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). The state police, in collaboration with central security agencies, are actively investigating the case to determine the circumstances surrounding their disappearance and to identify the perpetrators.

Security forces have been placed on high alert, and additional measures have been taken to prevent further incidents after the photos of the slain students went viral. The government has assured the public that swift and decisive action will be taken against all those involved in the kidnapping and killing.

The state government is committed to ensuring justice and will impose severe punishment on any perpetrator found responsible for the heinous crime, the statement affirmed.

Previously, the police had stated that the whereabouts of the two youths were unknown, and their mobile phones were found switched off. The last location of their handsets was traced to Lamdan near the winter flower tourist spot in Churachandpur district.

Manipur has been grappling with ethnic violence since early May, resulting in over 175 casualties and hundreds of injuries since clashes began in the northeastern state on May 3.