Bandh off: AT cuts short 240 hours shutdown
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, June 10 2025: The 10-day shutdown called by the Arambai Tenggol and Meira Paibis against the arrest of its leader Asem Kanan since June 7 has been called off with immediate effect.

Asem Kanan and four other members of the AT were arrested by CBI and State Police on June 7 .

While the other four members were released the next day, Kanan was flown to Guwahati.

Following the arrest, the AT and Meira Paibis have been demanding unconditional release of Kanan.

Speaking to media persons at their general headquarters today, AT PRO Khwairakpam Robin Mangang acknowledged that several unwanted incidents took place in the course of the protest movement undertaken by the AT and the people against the arrest of Asem Kanan.

Bandh off: AT cuts short 240 hours shutdown

Vehemently protesting the arrest of Kanan, AT called a 10-day shutdown from the night of June 8 .

AT is not an underground armed group, it is a socio-cultural organisation working to preserve and promote Meitei identity and culture, added Robin.

As compelled by the sustained attack and pogrom unleashed by Kuki terrorists against the Meitei community, the AT took up arms in self defence, Robin Mangang said.

For its efforts to protect Manipur/Kangleipak, NIA and CBI have registered a number of cases to arrest several AT members.

In addition, Manipur Police have also registered a number of FIRs against AT members, he said.

Taking serious note of these intention and motives of the Central forces and the State police, the AT called a 10-day shutdown from the night of June 7, he said.

In the course of the shutdown, many drug users and rogue elements unleashed different kinds of violent activities in the name of AT .

In the name of the shutdown, vehicles parked in front of residential gates were torched, vehicles going to marriage ceremonies and other religious functions were vandalised and people were assaulted without any valid reason, the AT PRO admitted.

Some criminal elements even attacked journalists and vandalised their vehicles, all in the name of the shutdown, he said.

Moreover, the bandh supporters attacked security forces using slingshots and by pelting stones, he said.

Considering all these untoward incidents and numerous appeals from different quarters to lift the shutdown in view of the recent devastating flood, the AT has decided to call off the shutdown with immediate effect, Robin Mangang said.

He also acknowledged that a large number of trucks including those carrying perishable items have been stranded at Mao, Senapati and Sekmai on account of the shutdown.

Traders and shopkeepers have been taking undue advantage of this situation and hiking prices of all commodities.

All these facts were taken into account before taking the decision to call off the shutdown, he said.

Even though the shutdown has been called off, different modes of democratic agitation will continue until AT senior leader Asem Kanan is released without any condition, he said.

Meanwhile, a press release issued by Arambai Tenggol general headquarters control room operator Laishram Robason announced that the 10-day shutdown called against the arrest of AT leader Asem Kanan has been called off with immediate effect.

The general strike has been called off considering the issue of Kuki narco-terrorists, the recent flood, the attempts made by individuals with vested interest to malign the image of AT during the general strike, attack on people going on religious functions, destruction of vehicles, properties etc, Robason said.