Hundreds of people defied a curfew to stage demonstrations in India's northeastern state of Manipur over the weekend and 23 were arrested for violence as tensions between two ethnic communities flared up again.

A complete curfew has been imposed in parts of India's restive state of Manipur after protesters stormed residents of state leaders following the alleged killing of a family of six i n the latest incident of escalation of the conflict between ethnic groups.

The violence, marking the second day of unrest in the area, has led to a tense standoff in Imphal, the state capital.