Correspondent
IMPHAL, JUN 22 (NPN): A prominent women’s organisation in Manipur on Monday submitted a memorandum to Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla seeking the release of youths recently arrested by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in connection with cases linked to the ongoing ethnic conflict in the state.
The memorandum, submitted by Apunba Meira Paibi Lup, referred to the Governor’s appeal issued on February 20, 2025, urging people, particularly youths from both hill and valley areas, to voluntarily surrender looted and illegally possessed arms and ammunition within seven days.
The organisation stated that many youths had complied with the appeal and surrendered weapons following persuasion and guidance from Meira Paibi groups. It argued that individuals who responded to the Governor’s directive should not face punitive action.
Expressing concern over the arrests carried out during the intervening night of June 18 and 19, the body alleged that several youths were taken into custody from their residences without arrest memos and appealed for their unconditional release.
The organisation maintained that the arrested youths were innocent and claimed that many local youths had taken up defensive roles due to what it described as the inability of security forces to effectively counter illegal armed groups.
The memorandum further warned that actions perceived as contradicting the Governor’s earlier assurance could create fresh hardships and potentially affect peace and stability in the state.
The appeal comes amid continuing protests by local women’s groups across several valley districts against the recent arrests conducted by joint teams of the Manipur Police, Central security forces and the NIA.
According to a law and order update issued by Manipur Police on June 19, ten accused persons were arrested in connection with various NIA cases during joint operations involving the Manipur Police, NIA and CRPF across districts including Churachandpur, Imphal and Ukhrul.
The cases under investigation include the Ukhrul Punjab National Bank robbery, the 5th IRB arms loot case, the murder of a Hmar woman in Jiribam, the abduction and killing of four Kuki individuals, the attack on CRPF personnel at Narainsena, and an ambush on the Chief Minister’s convoy.
Among those arrested were three former members of Arambai Tenggol, whose detention triggered protests by local women’s groups in several valley areas.