Indian state imposes curfew after ethnic clashes

TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Authorities in the crisis-hit northeastern Indian state of Manipur imposed a curfew on Tuesday after violent rallies condemned the recent wave of killings in ethnic clashes.

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For over a year, Manipur has been rocked by regular clashes between the predominantly Hindu Meitei majority and the predominantly Christian Kuki community, dividing the state into ethnic enclaves.

At least 11 people were killed last week as hostilities between the two communities flared up again after months of relative calm, AFP reported.

The curfew was imposed in the state capital Imphal and the surrounding valley after student-led protests clashed with police on Monday.

Students had “provoked” security officials guarding the state governor's residence in Imphal “by throwing stones and plastic bottles,” a police statement said on Monday.

In another valley district, protesters snatched weapons from police and shot at them, the statement said.

“One police officer was hit by a live bullet in the left thigh and another police officer was hit in the face by an unknown projectile,” it said.

A notice from local authorities announced an “absolute curfew … with immediate effect until further notice.”

The protesters demanded action against insurgents accused of using “improvised” projectile weapons and drone attacks last week. Police spoke of a “significant escalation” of violence in Manipur.

The long-standing tensions between the Meitei and Kuki communities are about the fight for land and public jobs.

Human rights activists accused local politicians of exacerbating ethnic divisions for political reasons.

Manipur is governed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party.