NEW DELHI: Authorities in India’s strife-torn northeastern state of Manipur imposed a curfew on Tuesday (Sep 10) after violent rallies staged to condemn the latest round of killings in ethnic clashes.
Manipur has been rocked by periodic clashes for more than a year between the predominantly Hindu Meitei majority and the mainly Christian Kuki community, dividing the state into ethnic enclaves.
At least 11 people were killed last week as hostilities between the two communities erupted again after months of relative calm.
The curfew was imposed in the state capital Imphal and the surrounding valley after student-led protests on Monday sparked clashes with police.
Students “provoked” security officials protecting the state governor’s residence in Imphal “by pelting stones and throwing plastic bottles”, police said in a statement on Monday.
Protesters in another valley district snatched arms from police and fired at them, the statement said.
“One police personnel was hit on the left thigh by a live round and another police personnel was hit in the face by an unknown projectile,” it said.
A local government notice announced a “total curfew … with immediate effect until further orders”.
