Imphal. Despite curfew in the capital Imphal, both violence and protests are continuing. On one hand, Meitei students are protesting to get their demands accepted from the Governor, on the other hand, a violent mob set fire to a primary health center in Jiribam district. A mob of miscreants set fire to a primary health center at around 1 am on Wednesday night. The incident took place just 150 meters away from the police station. However, there is no news of anyone being killed in this. It is suspected that people of the Kuki community are involved in this incident.
It is worth noting that curfew is in place in both Imphal East and West districts. Apart from this, internet is closed in five districts dominated by Maiti. Meanwhile, Governor Laxman Acharya has gone to Assam. He is the Governor of Assam and has additional charge of Manipur. The protesting students are sitting on a dharna demanding the removal of the state’s Director General of Police and Security Advisor. They also want that the unified command of the Army, CRPF and Police be handed over to Chief Minister N Biren Singh. Keep in mind that Biren Singh belongs to the Maiti community and for the last 16 months, ethnic violence has been going on between the Maiti and Kuki communities.
Before imposing curfew in three districts and internet shutdown in five districts, there was a violent clash between security forces and students in Imphal on 10 September. About 100 students were injured in this. The protesting students pelted stones at Raj Bhavan and attacked CRPF. This kind of violent protest continued for three days. After the curfew, the violence of the protesters stopped but more than 300 students are still protesting in Ima Market of Imphal. The protesters say that they will not leave until their demands are met. The Chief Minister also wants that the state government should get a unified command. That is why he is silent on the students’ protest.
On the other hand, Kuki student organizations have denied that they have any hand in the recent violence in the state. It is worth noting that senior officials of Manipur Police and Assam Rifles visited Kuki-dominated Churachandpur on Wednesday, September 11. They held a meeting with student leaders. Security force officials have appealed for peace for 10 days so that the issues can be resolved. However, the leaders of Kuki student organizations denied that they have any hand in the recent drone and rocket attacks. A student leader said that they are using drones for surveillance. But the allegations of dropping bombs from drones and firing missiles from rockets are wrong. He said that they use their traditional weapons for attack. However, curfew and internet ban continue and the central government has decided to send two thousand additional CRPF personnel.