Barely three days after the internet ban was lifted in Manipur, the State Government on Tuesday reimposed the ban for the next five days in view of the prevailing law and order situation following the alleged killing of two students.

On Tuesday thousands of youths took to the streets to protest against the killing of the two students from Meitei community after two photos went viral on social media. One of the photos showed Phijam Hemjit (20 years) and Hijam Linthoingambi (17 years) alive with armed men standing behind them while the other showed their lifeless bodies. The deceased were said to be missing since July 2023.

The youths’ protest reportedly turned violent as they attempted to proceed towards Chief Minister’s residence. Over 30 students were said to have been injured when security forces fired tear gas and gas bombs at the protestors.

On Monday, the Manipur Government confirmed that the photos that had surfaced were indeed Hemjit and Linthoingambi and that the CBI had taken over the case. It also stated that the State Police and the central security agencies were “actively investigating the case to determine the circumstances surrounding their disappearance and to identify the perpetrators who murdered the two students.”

The Government assured the public of that swift and decisive action would be taken against all involved in their kidnapping and deaths of the two youths and “committed to ensuring justice prevails and will impose severe punishment on any perpetrators found responsible for this heinous crime.”

“The Government encourages the public to exercise restraint and to let the authorities handle

the investigation,” the statement had said.

Soon after the internet ban was notified, the government also announced the closure of all schools in Manipur on 27th and 29th September 2023 which means that schools will open only after 2nd October 2023.

Mention may be made that the internet ban was lifted on 23 September 2023, 144 days after it was first imposed in the State on 4th May 2023.