Manipur Reopens Schools, Restores Internet Following Ethnic Clashes

Schools in India's northeastern state of Manipur reopened on Tuesday after being closed for over a week due to violent ethnic clashes between protesters and police, according to local authorities.

The conflict, which began in May 2023 between the predominantly Hindu Meitei community and the mainly Christian Kuki ethnic group, has claimed over 200 lives. Tensions between the two groups revolve around competition for land and public jobs, deepening divisions within the state, which borders conflict-ridden Myanmar.

After a period of calm, violence flared again this month, with at least 11 people killed, some by insurgents reportedly using rockets and drones to drop bombs. Protests by Meitei students in the state capital, Imphal, turned violent, leading the government to impose a curfew and cut off internet access in parts of the state.

As the situation stabilised, the government announced the resumption of normal classes in schools starting Tuesday, a day after restoring internet services.

"I urge everyone to use the internet responsibly and avoid sharing or posting unnecessary or inflammatory content that could disturb the peace and harmony," said Manipur’s chief minister, Biren Singh.

Rights activists have criticised local leaders, accusing them of stoking ethnic tensions for political purposes. Manipur is currently governed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).