MLAs seek AT commander's release
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, June 08 2025: Taking strong exception to the arrest of Arambai Tenggol fighting commander Asem Kanan (46) by CBI last night and considering the widespread protest which has erupted in different parts of the valley districts, 25 MLAs today called on Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla and sought his intervention to secure immediate release of Asem Kanan.

The MLAs belonging to both ruling and Opposition parties talked with the Governor for around one hour from 11.45 am to 12.45 pm .

The MLAs including Manipur Legislative Assembly Speaker Th Satyabrata and two from Opposition Congress enquired the Governor why and on what charges Asem Kanan was arrested.

They also demanded the release of Asem Kanan.

Speaking to media persons at the Raj Bhavan gate, MLA Kh Ibomcha said that both the ruling and Congress MLAs urged the Governor to secure unconditional release of Asem Kanan.

Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla said that the PR administration has no hostility against the Arambai Tenggol and they (AT) have been cooperating with the Government in a big way.

"I acknowledge and appreciate the rescue and evacuation operations carried out by AT during the recent flood", he reportedly said.

Arambai Tenggol's Asem Kanan is not arrested by the State Government but he is arrested by the CBI in connection with an old case registered by the investigating agency, Ibomcha said while quoting the Governor.

The other four AT members were arrested for their association with Kanan.

The four are arrested by Manipur Police.

If they are not involved in other cases, they may be released soon, the Governor told the MLAs.

Nonetheless, the MLAs urged the Governor to see that the CBI issues a press statement giving all the details and reasons for the arrest of Kanan.

They also insisted that the five AT members must be released without any condition at the earliest after proper screening by CBI and police, according to Ibomcha.

FormerSpeaker Th Lokeshwarsaid they were told by the Govemor that Asem Kanan was arrested in connection with a CBI case registered against him.

He was not arrested as an AT member, Lokeshwar said, quoting the Governor.

The former Speaker said that both the Opposition and ruling MLAs exerted strong pressure on the Governor for unconditional release of the AT members at the earliest.

The Governor reportedly told the MLAs that the four AT members other than Kanan are not related to the CBI case and as such, due process is underway for their release.

"As a Congress MLA, I made it clear that the Chief Minister who was also in charge of Home Department, the then DGP and the then Home Secretary must also be arrested in case Kanan was arrested for being a member of the Arambai Tenggol, and actions must be initiated against the then Government leaders", Lokeshwar said.

Saying that the AT took momentous responsibility in protecting the fives of innocent people and the integrity of Manipur in the face of the violent crisis which erupted on May 3,2023, Lokeshwar recalled that they (AT) responded promptly and positively when the Government asked them to lay down arms.

O Surjakumar said that the arrest of AT members goes against the public sentiment and the reasons for their arrest must be informed to the people.

The MLAs pointed out that the State Government is controlled by the Central Govt at the moment and CBI is an agency of the Centre.

They further pointed out that Governor Bhalla was also appointed by the President of India and he is always in touch with the Central leaders.

Notably, CBI usually does not take up any case against somebody unless the State Government makes a recommendation.

Legal experts opined that Asem Kanan has been arrested after the State Government handed over a case involving him to the CBI.

During his meeting with the MLAs today, Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla stated that the PR administration did not ask the CBI to take up any case against AT members, according to a source.

The MLAs who called on the Governor today included Th Satyabrata, Th Lokeshwar, O Suijakumar, Kh Ibomcha, L Susindro, Th Shyamkumar, Th Biswajit, L Rameshwor, Y Khemchand, S Rajen, Dr S Ranjan, RK Imo, Karam Shyam, S Kebi, K Robindro, T Robindro, S Premchandra, Th Radheshyam, Y Radheshyam, D Gangmei, Th Basantakumar, Kh Loken, Sheikh Noorul Hassan and M Rameshwar.

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