Curfew imposed, mobile & internet service suspended
Imphal Valley erupted in violence on Saturday night, extending into Sunday, following the arrest of five leaders of the Arambai Tenggol, including prominent figure Kanan Singh, by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and other authorities.
The arrests, with one member detained at Imphal Airport and transported to Guwahati for legal proceedings, triggered widespread protests across five valley districts—Imphal West, Imphal East, Thoubal, Bishnupur, and Kakching—deepening the state’s ongoing ethnic tensions.
Angry mobs, demanding the immediate release of the detained leaders, stormed the Kwakeithel Police Outpost in Imphal West, set fire to a bus in Khurai Lamlong, Imphal East, and blocked roads with burning tyres and furniture.
A group of young men poured petrol on their heads and threatened to set themselves on fire over the arrest of a key leader of the Arambai Tenggol (AT). In visuals of the protest, a group of young men in black t-shirts were seen holding bottles with petrol in them. One of them was heard saying, “We have given up arms. We have done what you’re supposed to do during the floods. Now you’re arresting us. We will kill ourselves.”
At least three individuals, including two journalists, were injured during the confrontations, with allegations of assault by security personnel. In response, the Manipur government imposed a total curfew in Bishnupur and prohibitory orders banning gatherings of four or more people in Imphal West, Imphal East, Thoubal, and Kakching.
Internet and mobile data services, including VSAT and VPN, were suspended for five days starting at 11:45 p.m. on June 7 to curb the spread of inflammatory content. Commissioner-cum-Secretary (Home) N. Ashok Kumar cited concerns over “anti-social elements” using social media to incite unrest.
PTI: Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla on Sunday held a security review meeting with senior officials in the wake of violent protests across the state over the arrests of Meitei outfit leaders.
A Raj Bhavan statement said the governor also met a delegation of MLAs who apprised Bhalla of the current law and order situation in the state.
“Today, a group of MLAs called on Governor of Manipur, Ajay Kumar Bhalla, at Raj Bhavan during which the MLAs apprised the governor of the current law and order situation in the state and requested his intervention to help find an amicable solution,” the Raj Bhavan statement said.
The governor told the delegation that all “necessary steps are being taken to address the concerns and to restore normalcy”, it said.