Schools in India’s northeastern state of Manipur reopened on Tuesday, more than a week after they were closed due to deadly ethnic clashes between protesters and police, according to the local government. The region has been embroiled in violence since May 2023, when fighting broke out between the predominantly Hindu Meitei majority and the mainly Christian Kuki community, leaving at least 200 dead.
The conflict, rooted in long-standing tensions over land and public jobs, has splintered communities and left large parts of Manipur divided. The state, which shares a border with conflict-ridden Myanmar, has seen waves of violence, with the most recent surge earlier this month killing at least 11 people. Insurgents reportedly used rockets and drones to drop bombs during the latest clashes.
The renewed violence led to widespread protests by Meitei students in the state capital, Imphal, which turned violent. Authorities responded by imposing a curfew and an internet blackout in parts of the state. With the situation now calmer, the state government announced that schools would reopen on Tuesday, following the restoration of internet services a day earlier.
State chief minister Biren Singh urged residents to “use the internet responsibly” and avoid posting or sharing inflammatory content that could disrupt the fragile peace. Singh’s appeal comes as authorities work to prevent the spread of misinformation and prevent further unrest.
The ethnic conflict in Manipur stems from deep-seated grievances between the Meitei and Kuki communities, with both groups competing for land and access to government jobs. Rights activists have accused local political leaders of exacerbating these divisions for electoral gain.
Manipur is governed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which has faced criticism for its handling of the conflict. The party’s emphasis on Hindu nationalism has reportedly contributed to tensions in the region.
While schools have reopened, the future remains uncertain as the state continues to grapple with the aftermath of months of violence. The conflict has displaced thousands of people, and efforts to rebuild trust between the Meitei and Kuki communities are ongoing.
The return of students to classrooms is seen as a hopeful step toward normalcy, but the situation remains tense, with local authorities closely monitoring the fragile peace.