Imphal, May 15, 2023 (PPI-OT): Amid suspension of internet, shortage of food, medicines and fuel in violence-hit Manipur, the BJP government faces another major challenge of the state’s division along ethnic lines.

The demand is being pursued by at least 10 tribal MLAs from different parties, including five from the ruling BJP, are demanding a separate state for the Kuki tribals.

For almost a decade, some pro-tribal sections of civil society and NGOs have been demanding a separate state for tribals living in Manipur. On Friday, 10 elected representatives of the Kuki tribes raised the same demand, calling for the division of the north-eastern state along ethnic lines.

The demand for a separate state assumes more significance as two of the ten MLAs are ministers and one is BJP Chief Minister N. Adviser to Brain Singh.

The demand has been raised amid rising black marketing as violence-hit state’s residents are struggling to have even one meal a day.

The illegal activity is causing a shortage of essential supplies including fuel, medicines and food. This is leaving people struggling to obtain what they need to survive.

Manipur has entered the third week without having access to internet service as the state government has suspended internet services including mobile data and broadband across the state for five more days since May 12.

Amid sporadic incidents of violence, the Manipur government on Friday suspended internet services for five more days with immediate effect. An order issued by the Home Department of Manipur stated the decision was taken in view of some reports of violence and in order to “thwart the design and activities of anti-national and anti-social elements” who might use social media for transmission of images and hate speech “inciting the passions of the public”.

The Home Department of Manipur order read, “There are still reports of incidents like fighting among volunteers and youths of major communities residing in the state with reports of arson. There

There are an estimated ten thousand students from Manipur in Delhi-NCR alone who are entirely dependent on the money sent by their families back home for everything from paying rent to travel and buying food.

Since the internet services were suspended to prevent the spread of misinformation amid the unprecedented clashes in several parts of Manipur, the students have been struggling.

Takhellambam, an advisor to the Manipur Students Association Delhi (MSAD), said his organization, along with other student outfits from North East, has been running from pillar to post, meeting officials and leaders to seek help.

“Back home, people are really worried, about even stepping out. So just because the internet may be restored on May 13, there is no guarantee that our parents will be able to transfer us the money. People have been displaced and lost their houses and other savings. Even if the internet is restored such people may not be in a position to send the money to their children. And until things get back to normal, we don’t want any student from Manipur to face any kind of harassment,” he said.

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