By India Blooms News Service Sep 27, 2023
Imphal/IBNS: A ban on mobile devices accessing the internet has been reimposed in Manipur amid violent protests over the brutal murder of two minors, news of which broke after photographs of the bodies went viral on social media.
The ban will be in effect till Sunday and comes just days after the state government lifted similar orders that had been in place for five months following an ethnic violence between the Meitei and Kuki tribes in the north-eastern state killed over 175 people and left hundreds injured.
Earlier in the day, hundreds of students took to the streets to protest the killings.
The group attempted to march towards Chief Minister N Biren Singhs residence but were intercepted by security forces, who fired tear gas shells and smoke bombs to disperse the crowd. Several students were injured in the clash.
In a late-night tweet, Chief Minister N Biren Singh assured the people that his government, along with the Centre, is working to arrest the culprits.
A CBI team will be arriving in Imphal tomorrow to expedite the investigation, the Chief Minister said.
In light of the distressing news that emerged yesterday regarding the tragic demise of the missing students, I want to assure the people of the State that both the state and central government are closely working together to nab the perpetrators. To further expedite this crucial
N.Biren Singh (@NBirenSingh) September 26, 2023
Fresh tension broke out in the state after the deaths of two students who had been missing since early July - when the Meitei-Kuki conflict was at its peak.
One photo released on social media showed them sitting in what seemed to be an unidentified armed groups makeshift jungle camp.
The two children, in a relationship with each other, were on a bike ride after a curfew (imposed due to the ethnic violence) was relaxed when they were believed to have been abducted.
The case sparked outrage and many have questioned why the police are unable to find the killers.
The Manipur government has called on people to show restraint and allow authorities to investigate the kidnapping and killing of the two students.
Singh, who has vowed swift and decisive action has handed the case over to the Central Bureau of Investigation.