AR nets 26 AT members, freed as public protest
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, February 21 2025: Massive protests erupted across the valley districts on Friday after 26 members of the Arambai Tenggol (AT) Kakching unit were apprehended by the Assam Rifles (AR) in a crackdown that has drawn widespread condemnation from various sections of society.

The incident took place on Friday morning when a team of the 46 Assam Rifles cordoned off the AT camp at Kakching Wairi Panjao Pallum and apprehended 26 members of the organisation.

Members of AT, a cultural organisation before the crisis broke out on May 3, 2023, had taken up arms to defend Meetei villages in the peripheral areas of the state.

AR nets 26 AT members, freed as public protest

The crackdown came in the wake of an appeal by the Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla urging armed youths from both the hills and the valley to surrender their weapons voluntarily within seven days, with assurances that no legal action would be taken against those who complied.

However, rounding up of the AT members triggered immediate and widespread public outrage.

As news of the apprehension spread, local residents gathered at the site of the operation and confronted the Assam Rifles personnel.

One of the AR vehicles was surrounded by angry residents, though other vehicles managed to leave the area with the apprehended members.

Following the detention, roadblocks were set up across various locations in the valley as people took to the streets in protest.

Protestors demanded the unconditional release of all 26 AT members and condemned the government's actions against village volunteers.

Initially, 10 of the detained individuals, mostly students who are currently appearing in the High School Leaving Certificate (HSLC) examinations, were handed over to the Kakching police station and later released.

As the protests intensified, pressure mounted on the authorities for the release of the remaining 16 members.

Later in the day, the Assam Rifles handed over the remaining members to the police station, from where they were eventually released.

Earlier, the protests quickly spread across multiple districts, with demonstrators blocking roads and shutting down markets.

Kakching witnessed the most intense protests, with even shops in residential pockets closing down in solidarity with the detained members.

Markets in other valley districts also observed shutdowns as part of the collective protest against the crackdown.

Protests took various forms, including road blockades, sit-ins, and rallies, organised in locations such as Khwairamband Ima Keithel, Mayang Imphal, Yumnam Huidrom Makha Leikai, Wabagai Lamkhai Keithel, Singjamei, Uripok, Sagolband, Canchipur, Keinou, Kha Potshangbam, Khabam Lamkhai, Laimanai, Langmeidong, Nambol, Kongba, Mantripukhri, Lamlongei, Yairipok, Thoubal, Wabagai, Pangantabi, Yumnam Khunou, Bishnupur Keithel, Moirang, Oinam, Ningthoukhong Keithel, Langol Game Village, and Punsikhul.

Protestors demanded an immediate end to the crackdown on village volunteers and the unconditional release of those arrested.

Among the demonstrators were youths, displaced persons, and Meira Paibi members, who also voiced their dissatisfaction with the ongoing political instability in the state.

Many protestors expressed dissatisfaction on the resignation of the chief minister and demanded revocation of the President's Rule.

They demanded the restoration of the people's government and the early resettlement of displaced persons affected by the ongoing crisis.

Protestors also questioned the Governor's recent appeal for the surrender of arms, arguing that the move failed to address the root causes of the violence and unrest.

They expressed frustration over the government's perceived targeting of village volunteers, who, they argued, had taken up arms solely to protect their communities from external threats.

Khwairamband Keithel Sinpham amadi Shaktam Kanba Lup secretary, Khumukcham Rani, strongly condemned the government's actions, stating that the village volunteers were not waging war against India but were defending the people and the integrity of Manipur from forces attempting to destabilise and disintegrate the state.

She criticised the government for ignoring the threats posed by Kuki militants, who, according to her, roam freely with arms while openly challenging the state's integrity and identity.

She called for equal treatment of the valley and hill areas and urged the government to take strict action against militant groups threatening peace and stability in the state.