Curfew, internet shutdown in India's violence-hit Manipur
Authorities have imposed a curfew and shut down the internet in parts of the troubled north-eastern Indian state of Manipur after protests erupted over the arrest of leaders from an ethnic group.
On Sunday, police arrested five leaders of Arambai Tenggol, an armed Meitei radical group, including their chief Asem Kanan Singh.
India's top investigation agency said Singh was arrested at Manipur's Imphal airport for his involvement in 'various criminal activities' related to the violence that broke out in the state in 2023.
Manipur has been rocked by periodic violence since 2023 after ethnic clashes between the two largest groups, the majority Meitei and minority Kuki, over land and influence.
More than 250 people have been killed in the conflict, with tens of thousands displaced.
Arambai Tenggol identifies itself as a social outfit and wields considerable influence in the state, enjoying support from the Meitei community.
The latest round of tensions began on June 7, when India's top investigation agency arrested Singh and four other leaders of Arambai Tenggol, following which he was taken to Guwahati city in the neighbouring state of Assam.
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), which is investigating cases related to violence in Manipur, said that the trial for these had been shifted from Manipur to Guwahati in Assam 'in view of the law and order situation in Manipur'.
After the arrests, protesters demanding the release of members of Arambai Tenggol stormed a police post, set fire to a bus and blocked roads in parts of Imphal.
Some protesters also clashed with security personnel, The Hindu newspaper reported.
A 13-year-old boy was injured after security forces fired tear gas shells and live rounds to disperse crowds, The Hindustan Times reported.
State lawmaker Okram Surjakumar said the arrests had thrown the state into chaos.
Following the violence, the state government suspended internet and mobile data services in five districts of the state for five days and imposed an indefinite curfew in one. Gatherings of four or more people has also been prohibited in the some parts. Arambai Tenggol has also declared a 10-day shutdown in parts of the state since Saturday night.
Priyanka Gandhi, leader of the opposition Congress party, on Sunday questioned why the government was unable to bring to peace to the conflict-hit state. Earlier this year, the Indian government brought the state under direct federal rule after the chief minister resigned following criticism from opposition groups. (Agencies)
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Qatar Tribune
8 hours ago
- Qatar Tribune
Pakistan ramps up defence spending by 20%
Pakistan has announced a major boost to defence spending in its new budget, just weeks after coming to the brink of a fifth war with archrival India. The budget for the fiscal year 2025-2026, announced by the government on Tuesday, ramps up defence spending to 2.55 trillion rupees ($9bn), up 20 percent from the current fiscal year, which ends this month. The hike in defence expenditures comes amid a cut in overall spending, which is shrinking by 7 percent to 17.57 trillion rupees ($62bn). The budget reflects Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's goals of spurring growth while boosting Pakistan's military in the wake of the most serious conflict between the nuclear-armed neighbours in nearly three decades. The bitter foes attacked each other with fighter jets, missiles, drones and artillery for several days in May before a ceasefire was declared. The hostilities were triggered by a deadly attack by gunmen in Pahalgam in Indian-administered Kashmir on April 22, which India accused Pakistan of supporting. Pakistan denied any role in the attack. India's defence spending in its 2025-2026 fiscal year was set at $78.7bn, up nearly 10 percent from the previous year. (Agencies)
Qatar Tribune
a day ago
- Qatar Tribune
Curfew, internet shutdown in India's violence-hit Manipur
Authorities have imposed a curfew and shut down the internet in parts of the troubled north-eastern Indian state of Manipur after protests erupted over the arrest of leaders from an ethnic group. On Sunday, police arrested five leaders of Arambai Tenggol, an armed Meitei radical group, including their chief Asem Kanan Singh. India's top investigation agency said Singh was arrested at Manipur's Imphal airport for his involvement in 'various criminal activities' related to the violence that broke out in the state in 2023. Manipur has been rocked by periodic violence since 2023 after ethnic clashes between the two largest groups, the majority Meitei and minority Kuki, over land and influence. More than 250 people have been killed in the conflict, with tens of thousands displaced. Arambai Tenggol identifies itself as a social outfit and wields considerable influence in the state, enjoying support from the Meitei community. The latest round of tensions began on June 7, when India's top investigation agency arrested Singh and four other leaders of Arambai Tenggol, following which he was taken to Guwahati city in the neighbouring state of Assam. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), which is investigating cases related to violence in Manipur, said that the trial for these had been shifted from Manipur to Guwahati in Assam 'in view of the law and order situation in Manipur'. After the arrests, protesters demanding the release of members of Arambai Tenggol stormed a police post, set fire to a bus and blocked roads in parts of Imphal. Some protesters also clashed with security personnel, The Hindu newspaper reported. A 13-year-old boy was injured after security forces fired tear gas shells and live rounds to disperse crowds, The Hindustan Times reported. State lawmaker Okram Surjakumar said the arrests had thrown the state into chaos. Following the violence, the state government suspended internet and mobile data services in five districts of the state for five days and imposed an indefinite curfew in one. Gatherings of four or more people has also been prohibited in the some parts. Arambai Tenggol has also declared a 10-day shutdown in parts of the state since Saturday night. Priyanka Gandhi, leader of the opposition Congress party, on Sunday questioned why the government was unable to bring to peace to the conflict-hit state. Earlier this year, the Indian government brought the state under direct federal rule after the chief minister resigned following criticism from opposition groups. (Agencies)
Qatar Tribune
2 days ago
- Qatar Tribune
ICBF felicitates Divakar Poojary for exemplary service to Indian community in Qatar
In celebration of dedication and service to the Indian community in Qatar, the Indian Community Benevolent Forum (ICBF) organised a distinguished felicitation ceremony on June 2, honouring Divakar Poojary, former General Secretary of ICBF, who came to Qatar for a short visit. Poojary, who has previously served as general secretary of both the Indian Cultural Centre (ICC) and the Indian Business and Professionals Network (IBPN)—all apex bodies under the Embassy of India—was recognised for his leadership and unwavering commitment to the Indiandiaspora. The evening commenced with a gracious welcome address by Jafer Thayyil, secretary of ICBF, followed by the presidential address delivered by Shanavas Bava. Thoughtful reflections on Poojary's journey were shared by KS Prasad (Advisory Council Chairman), KV Boban (Program Committee Chairman), Sam Basheer (Former Advisory Chairman), and past ICBF Presidents Abdul Kadar and Neelangshu Dey. After this moving set of speeches, ICBF General Secretary Deepak Shetty formally introduced the Guest of Honou Divakar Poojary. In the spotlight of the evening, Poojary was felicitated amidst a gathering of distinguished community leaders and supportive well-wishers. He then took the floor to address the audience, sharing personal anecdotes and enriching experiences from his decades of service. These moments were further enriched by contributions from Aparna Sharath, president of Billawas Qatar, whose reflections on Poojary's impact resonated deeply with all present. The ceremony was warmly concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Nirmala Guru, head of finance, ICBF. Behind the scenes, the event was deftly coordinated by ICBF Managing Committee members Mani Bharathi, Shankar Goud, Irfan Ansari, Mini Siby—and Advisory Council member Satheesh V. True to its mission since 1984 of offering support and compassion to underprivileged Indians across Qatar, ICBF continues to uphold its core values of service, solidarity, and benevolence through such heartfelt recognitions.
