Schools in India’s northeastern state of Manipur reopened on Tuesday after a week of closure due to communal violence and clashes between protesters and police, the local government said. According to sources, at least 200 people have been killed due to fighting between the Hindu Meitei majority and the Christian Kuki community in Manipur, which started in May 2023. Since then, communities in the northeastern state bordering war-torn Myanmar have been divided into rival factions.
After a period of relative peace, at least 11 people were killed when violence flared up again recently. Demonstrations by Meitei students against the war in Manipur’s capital Imphal turned violent, prompting a curfew and internet blackout in some parts of the state. At present, with the reduction of violence, internet service has been restored, and normal classes will resume in all schools from Tuesday. A government order has been issued to start. Manipur Chief Minister Biren Singh has requested everyone to use the internet responsibly and not to post any content that disturbs peace and harmony. Meanwhile, rights activists have accused local leaders of increasing caste division for political gains.
