IT Desk
Imphal, Dec 2:
Imphal is in constant curfew and internet restrictions, since the tragic deaths of three women and three children from the Meitei community, who had gone missing from a relief camp in Jiribam. While the initial violence has subsided, the imposition of curfews continues to disrupt life across the valley districts, reflecting a fragile and unresolved situation.
In the state capital of Imphal, curfews have transformed the city’s rhythm. As the designated curfew hours approach, security forces block key arterial roads such as Keishampat Junction, Moirangkhom, and Sanjenthong. This closure of vital thoroughfares leads to long traffic snarls, often stretching over a kilometer, leaving commuters stranded during peak hours. The frustration of residents is compounded by the militaristic approach to these roadblocks. Concrete barricades, barbed wire, and a heavy security presence create an atmosphere more akin to a war zone than an urban center. Such measures have been seen as excessive by many due to the inconvenience suffered by the people at a very crowded place.
Also, the protests at centre of Imphal have happened due to turmoil at the periphery areas. These crises are the results of incompetence of police in controlling violence at the peripheries. So, public at the heart of Imphal are made to suffer by the police due to failure of the police at the peripheries.
Again, if there are movements of public with hostile intentions then there are layers of layers of security rings and intelligence and barricades can also be erected in matter of minutes to protect the high security zones. But, the policy of the state is to punish the people day and night by creating huge inconvenience for demanding that police to find and punish the perpetrators of Jiribam killings.
Adding to the distress is the prolonged internet ban, which has been in effect since the Jiribam incident. While broadband services have been selectively restored after subscribers sign undertakings, cellular data remains inaccessible, leaving the majority of users disconnected. This move has disproportionately affected rural and remote areas, where broadband connectivity is sparse or nonexistent. The internet ban has disrupted daily life, particularly for students reliant on online education, businesses dependent on digital communication, and families trying to stay connected.
The government may defend the ban as necessary to curb misinformation and prevent potential unrest. However, many see it as an overreach, indicative of a broader fear of dissent and criticism. Critics argue that such restrictions hurt innocent civilians the most, while those with malicious intent often find ways to bypass them. The digital blackout has effectively silenced public discourse, leaving the people of Manipur feeling isolated and powerless.
Beyond these immediate issues, Manipur faces a host of deeper problems that have been exacerbated by the current crisis. Infrastructure remains inadequate, with poorly maintained roads and insufficient development hindering progress. Inflation has made basic necessities increasingly unaffordable, and administrative inefficiencies have left citizens disillusioned with governance. Across various sectors, there is little to celebrate, as the state struggles to keep pace with its counterparts in the region.
