by
International Desk, June 8, 2025 : India’s northeastern state of Manipur has once again descended into unrest following the arrest of a Meitei community leader. Authorities have suspended internet services across five districts in the central valley region of the state. On Saturday night (June 7), protests erupted in the capital, Imphal, and other areas as members of the Meitei community took to the streets.
The leader was detained by security forces in the Kwakeithel area on Saturday evening. Soon after, protesters demanding his immediate release blocked roads and burned tires in various parts of the state. Clashes between security forces and demonstrators were reported in Kwakeithel, leaving several people injured.
To control the situation, mobile data services and internet access were suspended for five days starting Sunday morning in Imphal East, Imphal West, Kakching, Thoubal, and Bishnupur districts. The administration cited concerns over the potential spread of provocative content and videos on social media as the reason for the internet shutdown.
This is not the first time such measures have been taken. In September 2023, internet services were similarly halted in Manipur following widespread clashes. After nearly eight months, the state administration has resorted to the same step to curb the latest unrest.
The current tensions trace back to April 2023, when the Manipur High Court ordered the state government to grant Scheduled Tribe status to the Meitei community. This decision sparked protests from Kuki and other tribal communities, who feared that the status would allow Meiteis to purchase land in hilly areas and access quotas reserved for tribal groups. The violence that began following this ruling has yet to be fully resolved, with sporadic clashes continuing to destabilize the state.
Manipur is currently under President’s Rule, with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) making efforts to form a new government. However, the recent protests and clashes have further complicated the situation in the state.
AI/MR
