Meitei Leader's Arrest Sparks Unrest In Manipur, Curfew Clamped, Internet Suspended: Top Points

Fresh violence broke out in Manipur on Saturday night following reports of the arrest of a leader and a few other members of the Meitei outfit Arambai Tenggol, which came to prominence following the ethnic clashes between the non-tribal Meitei and tribal Kuki-Zo communties in May 2023. The violence led to the imposition of curfew and suspension of internet services as tensions continued to grip several valley districts of the northeastern state.

Protesters clashed with the security forces, gheraoed airport entrance, and torched tyres and old furniture in the middle of the roads. This prmopted the administration to impose prohibitory orders and suspended internet services in five Imphal valley districts to prevent the situation from escalating further.

Meanwhile, Congress has criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for being “insensitive” towards the suffering of the people in Manipur, calling it “truly shocking”.

In a separate development, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has arrested three insurgents in a case related to a deadly attack an Indian Reserve Battalion (IRB) post and security forces in Moreh, Tengnoupal district, on 17th January 2024. Two police commandos were killed and several others injured others in Manipur last year in the attack.

Here’s what has happened so far:

The protest erupted on the night of Jue 7 after reports surfaced that a Meitei outfit Arambai Tenggol leader has been arrested. The protesters, demanding the release of the leader and other members, torched tyres and furniture in Kwakeithel and Uripok. A mob also set a bus on fire at Khurai Lamlong in Imphal East district. However, there was no official word on the name of the leader who was held or the charges against him.

Several gunshots were heard in Kwakeithel, but it is yet to be ascertained out who fired the shots. A few members of Arambai Tenggol attempted to self-immolate themselves by pouring petrol over themselves in symbolic protests against the arrest.

Protesters also gheraoed the Imphal airport gate at Tulihal after reports of Arambai Tenggol leader’s arrest surfaced. They took to the streets along the airport and blocked a thoroughfare to thwart any attempt to take the arrested leader outside of the state.

Additional security forces were deployed in these areas to bring the situation under control. Security was also enhanced along the roads leading to the Raj Bhavan with additional deployment of central forces. Security forces fired several rounds of tear gas shells to disperse the protesters in front of Kangla Gate, which is nearly 200 metres away from the Raj Bhavan.

Since then, prohibitory orders have been clamped in Imphal West, Imphal East, Thoubal, Bishnupur and Kakching districts. Internet and mobile data services, including VSAT and VPN facilities, have also been suspended in these valley areas for five days from 11.45 pm on Saturday.

The gathering of five or more people and carrying sticks, stones, firearms, or sharp weapons is prohibited in Imphal West, Thoubal and Kakching districts, under sub-section 2 of Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS).

In Imphal East and Bishnupur districts, people have been prohibited from stepping outside their residences from 10 pm on Saturday, until further orders under sub-section 1 of section 163 of the BNSS.

The district magistrate of Imphal West issued an order after the protests, which stated that the “superintendent of police in Imphal West… has reported serious breach to peace, disturbance to public tranquillity, riot or affray in the area, and grave danger to human lives and properties due to unlawful activities of anti-social elements.”

Meanwhile, an order, issued by Commissioner-cum-Secretary (Home) N Ashok Kumar, announced internet suspension, saying that “there is apprehension that some anti-social elements might use social media extensively for transmission of images, hate speech and hate video messages inciting the passion of the public which might have serious repercussions of law and order situation in the state, especially in Imphal East, Imphal West, Thoubal, Kakching and Bishnupur districts.”
The order was passed in view of the emergent situation and also stated that any person found guilty for violating it “will be liable for legal actions”.

In a viral video, BJP’s Rajya Sabha MP Leishemba Sanajaoba was allegedly seen speaking to security personnel on the street.

“We tried very hard to bring peace. If you do such a thing, how will peace come? You arrest me along with the MLA I am here with,” he was heard saying in the purported video.