Protests continue over arrest of AT members, 21 agitators hurt
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, June 08 2025: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Saturday arrested a member of Arambai Tenggol (AT) for his alleged involvement in various criminal activities connected to the 2023 Manipur violence and four others.

According to a statement issued by the agency, the AT member was arrested at Imphal Airport and has been shifted to Guwahati, where he will be produced before a competent court for police remand.

His family has been informed of the arrest.

The CBI is probing several cases related to the ethnic violence in Manipur under the direction of the Supreme Court of India.

Protests continue over arrest of AT members, 21 agitators hurt

Owing to the prevailing law and order situation in the state, the trial of these cases has been relocated from Manipur to Guwahati, the statement said adding that investigation is ongoing.

Meanwhile, district magistrates of five valley districts - Imphal West, Imphal East, Thoubal, Bishnupur and Kakching, have issued prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, in view of the prevailing law and order situation.

The orders, issued on June 7, follow inputs from respective SPs citing apprehensions of serious breach of peace, public disturbance, and danger to human lives and properties due to unlawful activities by anti-social elements.

The situation reportedly worsened after the recent arrest of a member of Arambai Tenggol in Imphal West.

In Imphal West, the administration has prohibited assembly of five or more persons and the carrying of sticks, firearms, sharp weapons or explosive materials.

Similar restrictions have been enforced in Thoubal district, where protests were reported in connection with the arrest.

In Imphal East, the district administration has taken a step further by imposing restrictions on the movement of individuals outside their residences, citing the urgent need to prevent potential rioting or affrays.

In Kakching, the district magistrate has prohibited gathering of four or more people, display of weapons, and any acts likely to disrupt public order.

The orders shall remain in force until further notice.

To denounce the arrest of Asem Kanan and others by the CBI on Saturday, the Arambai Tenggol announced a 10-day total shutdown across Manipur, demanding unconditional release of the detainees.

Protests continue over arrest of AT members, 21 agitators hurt

The agitation, which began Saturday night in various parts of the state, has reportedly left at least 21 people injured amid widespread unrest.

On the first day of the total shutdown, all shops and establishments in the capital city remained closed, as passenger and private vehicles stayed off the roads.

Protesters in various parts of the state enforced road block.

Apart from essential services and individuals seeking medical care, there were no movement.

In several areas, meira paibi activists took to the streets and blocked traffic.

Inter-district and inter-state transport vehicles were suspended.

The shutdown also impacted business activities, with exception of medical stores, across the state with as even small neighbourhood shops ceased sale in support of the shutdown call.

Meanwhile, since Saturday night, violent protests continued in and around Imphal city.

Hundreds of demonstrators blocked major roads by burning used tyres, laying wooden planks, and other debris.

In response, security forces fired tear gas shells, mock bombs, and even live rounds to disperse the crowds.

During crackdown by security forces on Saturday night, 18 protesters were injured and treated at Asian Hospital, Kwakeithel.

On Sunday, three more protesters suffered injuries requiring treatment at RIMS Hospital.

Among the injured was a 13-year-old boy who suffered serious leg injuries, reportedly caused by the explosion of a tear gas shell during the agitation in Keishamthong area.

On Sunday, agitations were reported at Uripok Polem Leikai,'Naoremthong, and Lamboi Khongnangkhong.

Police responded by firing tear gas to disperse the crowds.

The protests continued well into the night.

Along Tiddim Road, demonstrators put up road blocks at several locations, including Hodam Leirak, Kwakeithel and Tiddim Ground.

Police fired tear gas shells, while protesters retaliated by pelting stones and using slingshots against security personnel.

Despite repeated efforts to disperse them, the protests persisted late into the night.

Protesters also blocked roads along the Singjamei stretch including at Moirangkhom, Yumnam Leikai, Singjamei Market, Singjamei Waikhom Leikai, Kakwa Naorem Leikai and in front of the Manipur University gate.

Road blocks and other forms of protest were reported in Thangmeiband, Lamphel Sana Keithel, Sagolband Tera Bazar, Mayai Lambi, Imphal-Sangaithel Road, Yurembam and Patsoi areas.

At Koirengei, protesters piled up mounds of earth on the highway to obstruct traffic with similar blockades enforced in Sangakpham and New Checkon areas.

Meanwhile, meira paibi activists from Itham Moirangpurel held a sit-in protest at Moirangpurel Phura Makhong, demanding the unconditional release of the five members of Arambai Tenggol.

BISHNUPUR: Widespread protests broke out across Bishnupur district on Sunday following the arrest of AT leader Asem Kanan by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Saturday.

Protestors enforced roadblock along the Tiddim line from Moirang till Kumbi by burning tyres and placing logs, choking vehicular movement.

AT members were also seen setting on fire used tyres in front of the Bishnupur Forest Gate, using trucks to dump mounds of earth on the road stretch, creating additional barricades to obstruct traffic flow.

A Meira Paibi activist told reporters that the ongoing crisis in Manipur is the sole responsibility of the MLAs.

She criticised the legislators for flocking to Delhi instead of staying in the state to address the situation.

Conveying the collective decision of the meira paibi activists of Bishnupur district, she said that the MLAs currently in Delhi must return to Manipur by June 9 and form a popular government by June 10, failing which they will not be allowed to reside in Manipur.

As part of the agitation, all shops and commercial establishments in Nambol, Oinam, Bishnupur, Ningthoukhong, Moirang, and Kumbi remained closed.

JIRIBAM: The shutdown called by Arambai Tenggol in protest against the arrest of its leader was enforced in Jiribam bn Sunday, with wide-spread public participation.

Protesters blocked major roads, including the National Highway 37 (NH-37), at Lamlong Keithel by placing logs and bamboo barricades, and burning tyres to halt vehicular movement.

Even security vehicles were denied passage by the demonstrators.

Commercial establishments, shops and offices remained closed and the streets were deserted with exception of occasional movement of essential service providers.

No reports of violence related to the shutdown were received at the time of filing this report.