Authorities have taken the unprecedented step of imposing an indefinite curfew in Manipur’s capital, Imphal, and several other districts in response to escalating violence stemming from protests related to the alleged abduction and murder of two students. The unrest in Manipur, a northeastern state bordering Myanmar, has deepened what security experts describe as an intense civil conflict driven by disputes over land, employment, and political influence between its two major ethnic groups.

Senior police official L Kailun confirmed the imposition of the curfew, emphasising its necessity due to the deteriorating situation. More than 80 students were injured in clashes that occurred on Wednesday, according to another police source who requested anonymity. The official further described the atmosphere as “extremely tense” following incidents where armed groups vandalised a governing party office and launched petrol bombs at police units.

To curb the spread of misinformation and potential further unrest, mobile internet services have been suspended in the state for a five-day period, according to officials.

Since the outbreak of violence on May 3rd, Manipur has witnessed over 180 casualties, and approximately 50,000 residents have been displaced from their homes.

Manipur’s population of 3.2 million is divided mainly between the Hindu Meitei community, constituting more than half, and the predominantly Christian Kuki-Zo community, making up around 40%, primarily residing in the hilly regions.

Protests reignited following the alleged kidnapping and subsequent discovery of the bodies of two Meitei community students who had gone missing in July. The news of their tragic fate went viral, exacerbating long-standing ethnic tensions.

Chief Minister N Biren Singh, a leader of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), condemned the alleged murders and vowed to ensure the harshest punishment for those responsible. Nevertheless, the families of the deceased students and Meitei leaders have accused Kuki-Zo militants of perpetrating the killings while criticising authorities for their inability to quell the violence.

Leaders of the opposition Congress party have criticised the Modi government for its perceived failure to control the escalating violence in a state governed by the BJP, highlighting the challenges faced in managing the complex ethnic and political dynamics in Manipur.