Internet shut after ethnic violence in Manipur

Amid tension in eastern Manipur bordering Myanmar on Tuesday after clashes between two ethnic groups, the state government banned Internet services in the state for three days since Monday, officials said.

Imphal, March 17 Amid tension in eastern Manipur bordering Myanmar on Tuesday after clashes between two ethnic groups, the state government banned Internet services in the state for three days since Monday, officials said.

"Though there are some tensions in Kamjong district after the clashes between the villagers of Kamjong and Chassad in the past few days, however, the situation is almost under control now. Additional security forces including Assam Rifles led by senior officials have been deployed in the trouble torn areas," a police official said in Imphal.

He said the state's Home Department has ordered shutdown of Internet services to prevent misuse of various social media to spread hate messages and images of clashes.

However, no casualty has been reported so far.

At least 10 houses in the two villages and few vehicles have been allegedly set on fire by irate villagers. The incident first took place two-day ago after a house was burnt in a wildfire.

The Kamjong district administration has also promulgated prohibitory orders under Section 144 Cr PC in the mountainous area.

There has been a land dispute between the two villages for quite some time.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led state government headed by Chief Minister N. Biren Singh has constituted a three-member committee to probe the clashes.

The three-member panel, led by the Additional Chief Secretary Suhel Akhtar, has been asked to submit its report within 10 days.

A team of ministers and legislators headed by Manipur Deputy Chief Minister Y. Joykumar had already visited the troubled areas and talked with the communities and and urged the people resolve the dispute through amicable resolution.

The Chief Minister also announced that his government would repair the houses which were torched, as well as provide financial aid to the affected people.

( With inputs from IANS )