AsiaNet-Pakistan Premier Editorial Content and Press Release Distribution Service
Imphal, May 03, 2023 (PPI-OT): Curfew has been imposed while internet services have been suspended in the Indian state of Manipur amid rising communal tension in the state. Curfew and social media restrictions have been imposed by the Manipur government across the state for five days to curb the tension, triggered after a public rally against the demand for inclusion of Metei/Meetei in the Scheduled Tribe category on Wednesday. As per the order issued by Commissioner (Home) H. Gyan Prakash, the measures have been taken in view of hate speech and hate video messages on social media.
It further said a protest rally in all hill districts was held from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Wednesday by the All Tribal Student Union, Manipur (ATSUM). During the rally and total shutdown, incidents like fighting amongst volunteers/youths of different communities were reported, and the situation is tense and volatile in the districts of Bishnupur and Churachandpur. “To thwart the design and activities of anti-national and anti-social elements, …the government has ordered the suspension/curbing of mobile data services in the territorial jurisdiction of the state of Manipur,” the order said.
“The suspension shall be in force for the next five days with immediate effect from the time this suspension order becomes operational,” it added. The present flashpoint was triggered following the directive of the Manipur High Court to the state government to consider the request for the community’s inclusion within four weeks and send a recommendation to the Indian government for its consideration. The Scheduled Tribe Demand Committee of Manipur and other like-minded Meitei bodies have been demanding and urging the state government for the last 10 years to include the community in the Scheduled Tribe category to protect their ancestral lands, traditions, culture, language, and identity. However, some tribal bodies, including ATSUM, are vehemently opposing the demands.
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