Manipur crackdown: 5 Arambai Tenggol members held, more arrests expected
Five members of the Meitei group Arambai Tenggol have been arrested in connection with the kidnapping of a civilian and the assault on two police personnel, people aware of the matter said on Monday, and added it was part of an ongoing crackdown in the ethnic violence-hit Manipur.
The people said the three Huidrom Somokanta Singh, Huidrom Dipak Singh, and Thingujam Ranjit Singh were produced before a magistrate and remanded in seven-day police custody. Police said others involved in the case were being traced.
On June 12 and 13, two Arambai Tenggol members were arrested for their alleged involvement in a mob attack on June 9 that left additional police superintendent Wangkhomba Okramcha injured.
The arrest of five Arambai Tenggol members, including Kanan Singh, this month over their involvement in the violence in the state triggered the latest wave of unrest in Manipur. Hundreds of protesters resorted to arson and threw stones at security forces as the news of the arrest broke. The Arambai Tenggol demanded their immediate release and announced a 10-day shutdown, which was called off four days later.
Kanan Singh was dismissed from the police force this year over his alleged involvement in smuggling weapons and looting armouries. The authorities suspended broadband and mobile data services in Imphal East and West, Kakching, Thoubal, and Bishnupur, saying some 'anti-social elements might use social media' to incite the public in the aftermath of Kanan Singh's arrest.
A curfew was reimposed in Bishnupur for the first time this year. The movement of people in the valley districts was restricted due to apprehension of a breach of peace.
The protracted violence between Meiteis and Kukis in Manipur was triggered in May 2023 and has left around 250 people dead and thousands displaced. Meiteis live largely in the plains of the Imphal valley, and the Kukis in the hills. They have withdrawn to their respective strongholds. The groups have since 2023 set up road blockades on highways to restrict each other's and the movement of essential items between their strongholds.
A Manipur Police statement said 'multiple militants' belonging to banned outfits have also been apprehended in the ongoing crackdown in the state. Authorities said further arrests are expected in the coming days.
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Hindustan Times
7 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Manipur crackdown: 5 Arambai Tenggol members held, more arrests expected
Five members of the Meitei group Arambai Tenggol have been arrested in connection with the kidnapping of a civilian and the assault on two police personnel, people aware of the matter said on Monday, and added it was part of an ongoing crackdown in the ethnic violence-hit Manipur. The people said the three Huidrom Somokanta Singh, Huidrom Dipak Singh, and Thingujam Ranjit Singh were produced before a magistrate and remanded in seven-day police custody. Police said others involved in the case were being traced. On June 12 and 13, two Arambai Tenggol members were arrested for their alleged involvement in a mob attack on June 9 that left additional police superintendent Wangkhomba Okramcha injured. The arrest of five Arambai Tenggol members, including Kanan Singh, this month over their involvement in the violence in the state triggered the latest wave of unrest in Manipur. Hundreds of protesters resorted to arson and threw stones at security forces as the news of the arrest broke. The Arambai Tenggol demanded their immediate release and announced a 10-day shutdown, which was called off four days later. Kanan Singh was dismissed from the police force this year over his alleged involvement in smuggling weapons and looting armouries. The authorities suspended broadband and mobile data services in Imphal East and West, Kakching, Thoubal, and Bishnupur, saying some 'anti-social elements might use social media' to incite the public in the aftermath of Kanan Singh's arrest. A curfew was reimposed in Bishnupur for the first time this year. The movement of people in the valley districts was restricted due to apprehension of a breach of peace. The protracted violence between Meiteis and Kukis in Manipur was triggered in May 2023 and has left around 250 people dead and thousands displaced. Meiteis live largely in the plains of the Imphal valley, and the Kukis in the hills. They have withdrawn to their respective strongholds. The groups have since 2023 set up road blockades on highways to restrict each other's and the movement of essential items between their strongholds. A Manipur Police statement said 'multiple militants' belonging to banned outfits have also been apprehended in the ongoing crackdown in the state. Authorities said further arrests are expected in the coming days.
Time of India
10 hours ago
- Time of India
Farmers' stand-off near Manipur's ethnic buffer zone
Representative image (Photo: PTI) GUWAHATI: Kuki and Meitei villagers clashed on Sunday along the boundary of Imphal East and Kangpokpi districts in Manipur after a standoff between farmers from both communities over ploughing rights at a foothill village. Three to five people suffered minor injuries during the skirmish near Sadu Lampak, an area straddling an unofficial buffer between Meitei-majority Imphal valley and Kuki-Zo tribal hills. Security forces intervened. According to Manipur police, a Meitei farmer from Leitanpokpi arrived with a tractor to plough a paddy field in Sadu Lampak, close to a Kuki-majority area. "Some nearby Kuki villagers came and objected, saying the paddy field did not belong to him. Some Meitei villagers too reached the site," the police said in a statement. Meitei farmers said they had obtained permission from authorities to cultivate the land, which had remained uncultivated since the ethnic unrest. With the paddy sowing season approaching and violence subsiding under President's Rule since February, the farmers decided to return. Videos of Sunday's clash circulated widely online. Manipur police urged the public not to fall for rumours. Over the past two years, several farmers have been killed while working in fields near volatile boundary zones. Ethnic violence since May 2023 has killed more than 250 and displaced over 60,000 people in the state.
Time of India
11 hours ago
- Time of India
Kuki, Meitei villagers clash over ploughing of agricultural land
1 2 Guwahati: Kuki and Meitei villagers clashed along the boundary between Imphal East and Kangpokpi districts on Sunday, following altercations between villagers from the two communities over ploughing of agricultural lands at a village in the foothills. The groups targeted each other by throwing stones and using slingshots. According to sources, three to five people suffered injuries. While ownership of the land is not yet clear, villagers from both sides clashed against each other, using bamboo and wooden sticks. However, before things could spiral out of control, police and central security forces diffused the situation. According to a Manipur Police statement, a Meitei farmer from Leitanpokpi had gone to plough a paddy field, with his tractor, at Sadu Lampak village, which is near a Kuki-dominated area. "Some nearby Kuki villagers came and objected, saying the paddy field did not belong to him. Some Meitei villagers too reached the site," read the statement. With Leitanpokpi having witnessed violent incidents between the Kukis and Meiteis since the ethnic clashes broke out in May 2023, videos of the altercation went viral, sending alarm bells among the security personnel. "Some videos are circulating, saying Kukis have come down to stop Meitei farmers," Manipur Police cautioned in its X handle, urging the public not to believe in rumours. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch CFD với công nghệ và tốc độ tốt hơn IC Markets Đăng ký Undo "It is to inform that security forces, led by Addl SP IE and other central forces, have already reached the spot and have controlled the situation. Additional forces led by SP and others are also responding to the situation," Manipur Police wrote on X. According to some of the Meitei farmers, crop lands at Sadu Lampak were not cultivated in the aftermath of the ethnic clashes. However, this time, as the paddy sowing season is approaching and the number of incidents have come down after imposition of the President's rule, the Meitei farmers went to plough the land, despite it being in a vulnerable location. The Meitei farmers who went to plough the land said they had reportedly taken permission from the authorities to cultivate the land. In the last two years, several farmers have been killed while working in a paddy field. Meanwhile, the Meitei Heritage Welfare Foundation alleged that the Kuki villagers obstructed Meitei farmers from cultivating their land, even in the presence of security forces.
