Manipur unrest: Schools, colleges in Imphal Valley districts, Jiribam to reopen today after 13-day shutdown

Schools and colleges in Manipur's Imphal Valley districts and Jiribham will reopen on Friday, November 29, amid massive protests in the region after the dead bodies of three women and three children in Jiribam were recovered a few days back.

The government educational institutions or government-aided colleges under the Higher and Technical Education Department, including state universities, will reopen with effect from Friday, according to an order.

The schools and colleges in Manipur have been closed since November 16 after protests erupted. An order issued by the Directorate of Education—Schools said, “Normal classes will resume for all state, government, government-aided, private, and central schools from November 29.”

Manipur violence

Situations between Meitei and the Kuki community continue to remain tense in Manipur. Violence escalated after three women and three children of the Meitei community went missing from a relief camp in Jiribam. They were missing after a gunfight between security forces and suspected Kuki-Zo militants resulted in the deaths of 10 insurgents on November 11. Bodies of those six were later found

Tensions in Manipur continue to simmer after violent clashes broke between Kuki and Meitei community in May last year. More than 250 people have been killed and thousands were rendered homeless in ethnic violence between Imphal Valley-based Meiteis and adjoining hills-based Kuki-Zo groups since May last year.

Curfew in Manipur regions

Due to widespread protests over the report of the recovery of bodies, the state authorities imposed a curfew in the valley districts on November 16, reported Hindustan Times.

"Due to the developing law and orders situation in the district, there is a need to relax restrictions on the movement of people to facilitate the public to purchase essential items, including medicines and food items. Restriction of movement of people outside their residences is hereby lifted for Friday from 5 am to 4 pm" according to a government order.

"The relaxation, however, shall not include any gathering/ sit-in protest/ rally without obtaining approval through competent authority" the order read.

Rally against AFSPA in Manipur

Amid ongoing violence in the state, people are demanding the removal of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) from Manipur.

Thousands of demonstrators defied the imposed curfew on Thursday and staged a rally in Imphal East district against AFSPA. The rally began at Nongada in Lamlai constituency, with the protesters raising slogans as they marched towards Yorbung, covering a distance of 4.5 km.

"The rally was organised by Meira Paibis and local clubs in Lamlai constituency. We have reiterated time and again that AFSPA is a tool of oppression. The people of Imphal valley and Naga areas have suffered the most under AFSPA, but the government has never acknowledged their suffering," Y Leima, a woman protester, told PTI.

The Centre recently reimposed AFSPA in Manipur's six police station areas, including Jiribam. Under AFSPA, an area is declared “disturbed” for the convenience of security forces to operate.