Schools in India's northeastern state of Manipur reopened on Tuesday, more than a week after they were closed due to deadly ethnic violence and clashes between protesters and police, according to the local government.
The conflict erupted in Manipur in May 2023 between the predominantly Hindu Meitei majority and the mainly Christian Kuki community, resulting in the deaths of at least 200 people. Since then, the communities have fragmented into rival groups across large parts of the northeastern state, which shares a border with war-torn Myanmar. After months of relative peace, a resurgence of violence this month led to the deaths of at least 11 people, including those killed by insurgents reportedly using rockets and drones to drop bombs.
Subsequent protests by Meitei students against the violence in the state capital, Imphal, turned violent, prompting authorities to impose a curfew and an internet blackout in parts of the state. With the violence now subsiding, a government order announced that "normal classes will resume for all schools in the state" starting Tuesday, a day after internet services were restored.
State Chief Minister Biren Singh urged everyone to use the internet responsibly and avoid sharing or posting any unnecessary or inflammatory content that could disturb the peace and harmony. The long-standing tensions between the Meitei and Kuki communities are rooted in competition for land and public jobs. Rights activists have accused local leaders of exploiting ethnic divisions for political gain. Manipur is governed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party.
