Schools to Reopen in Manipur After 2-Week Closure

Imphal- Schools and universities in six districts of Manipur will reopen on Friday after a two-week closure due to security concerns. The announcement was made on Thursday by officials from the Education Department.

The decision to resume classes comes after a consultation with the Home Department, according to Director of Education (Schools) L. Nandakumar Singh. The closure, which affected all government, private, and government-aided institutions, was initially implemented on November 16 in response to escalating violence in the region. The six districts impacted by the curfew and subsequent school closures were Imphal West, Imphal East, Thoubal, Bishnupur, Kakching, and Jiribam.

The curfew was imposed following the recovery of the bodies of three missing children and three women in Jiribam district on November 15 and 16. On November 24, authorities announced their intention to resume normal classes on November 25, but they later canceled that decision.

In a separate announcement, the Manipur government extended the suspension of mobile internet and data services in nine districts, including Jiribam, for two more days. Nine districts will experience a mobile Internet and data suspension until 5.15 p.m. on November 29. Nine districts, encompassing both the valley and hills, where the suspension of mobile Internet and data services was enforced: Imphal West, Imphal East, Bishnupur, Thoubal, Kakching, Kangpokpi, Churachandpur, Jiribam, and Pherzawl.

The recent unrest in Manipur began on November 16 after the discovery of the six bodies in Jiribam district. Mob violence targeting the residences and properties of ministers, MLAs, and political leaders followed in Imphal East and Imphal West districts on November 16 and 17. Police have arrested 41 individuals in connection with the violence.