NEW DELHI, Sept. 10 (Xinhua) -- Authorities in the northeastern state of Manipur Tuesday snapped internet service for five days following violent clashes between students and government forces.
The clashes broke out after hundreds of protesters from the Meitei community, including students and women, tried to march toward the governor's office in Imphal, the capital city of Manipur.
The protesters, who reportedly demanded the removal of the state's police chief and security advisor to the local government, were stopped by police, thus triggering violent clashes.
The protesters shouting slogans threw brickbats at policemen, who responded by firing tear gas shells to disperse them.
Local media quoted police as saying that over 40 students were injured in the clashes.
The local government said that the ban aimed to stop the spread of disinformation and rumors, and will remain in place until Sunday afternoon.
The local government has also imposed an indefinite curfew in Imphal East and West districts, while prohibitory orders were imposed in Thoubal district to restrict people inside their houses and prevent them from going out for protests.
Reports said at least 11 people have been killed and over a dozen others injured in different incidents of ethnic violence in the state since the beginning of this month.
Police in Manipur have deployed an anti-drone system nearly a week after suspected Kuki insurgents attacked villages in Imphal West district with weaponized drones.
Manipur has been on edge since May 3 last year when large-scale violence broke out in the state during a tribal protest over the inclusion of the non-tribal Meitei community for a scheduled tribe status, designated for disadvantaged socio-economic groups which gives them reservations in education and government jobs.
Last year, ethnic clashes between the majority Meitei group and the tribal Kuki minority displaced over 60,000 people. ■