Arrest a diversionary tactic: COCOMI
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, June 09 2025: The arrest of Arambai Tenggol leader Asem Kanan by the CBI on June 7 is a tactic to divert attention from key issues facing Manipur at present, Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) has asserted.

Asem Kanan was not an underground cadre.

He spent his time among the public and was staying at his home.

The timing of the arrest was not right and it is seen as a tactic to divert the attention of the public from immediate and serious issues facing the State, COCOMI said in a statement released to the media today.

Notably, the CBI had arrested Arambai Tenggol leader Asem Kanan and four others on June 7.While the four others have been released, Asem kanan has been taken to Guwahati by the CBI .

The arrest had triggered widespread protests across the valley and Imphal is still reeling under a 10-day bandh.

Meanwhile, COCOMI said it rejects the Governor's clarification given to MLAs that the arrest of Asem Kanan is not related to Arambai Tenggol.

Asem Kanan is a key member of the Arambai Tenggol and hence his arrest by the CBI is very much related to the Arambai Tenggol.

The MLAs accepting the Governor's clarification plainly is appalling, said COCOMI.

The arrest of Asem Kanan is to divert the attention of the public from the recent Gwaltabi incident, the talk scheduled today between "Chin-Kuki NarcoTerrorists" and Government of India, a failing President's Rule's administration, and to malign the image of Arambai Tenggol, which had gained the approval and trust of the people by their selfless acts during the recent floods, COCOMI asserted.

The shutdown of internet services to curb freedom of opinion and expression, and the arrest of Asem Kanan was to trigger unrest and tension were clearly a preplanned conspiracy, claimed COCOMI .

The unrest at present may take another dimension which may further plunge the State to a deeper crisis.

The Government of India must act in the interests of the people and resolve the issue at the earliest, added COCOMI.

On the ongoing bandh imposed in the valley, COCOMI urged members of the public, Meira Paibis, youths and volunteers to exempt and allow free movement of emergency and essential services, medical and flood relief services.

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