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Manipur Protesters Pour Petrol On Heads, Threaten To Self-Immolate Themselves On Camera
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Violent protests erupted in Manipur's capital city on Saturday night, prompting the administration to suspend the internet services for five days.
As tensions soared in Manipur's Imphal over the arrest of a key leader of the Arambai Tenggol (AT), Kanan Singh, a group of young men poured petrol on their heads and threatened self-immolation on Saturday night.
The video of the incident has now surfaced on social media.
This comes after protests erupted in parts of Manipur's Imphal after Singh was arrested by the security forces. Arson was witnessed on the roads as protesters burnt tyres and blocked the streets, prompting the administration to suspend internet services across five valley districts for five days.
Manipur is arrest triggers Imphal opens fire. Curfew Northeast is slipping up, Delhi. #Manipur #ManipurViolence #Imphal
— THE SQUADRON (@THE_SQUADR0N) June 7, 2025
In the protest videos, a group of young men wearing black t-shirts were seen holding bottles filled with petrol. One of them was heard saying, 'We gave up our weapons. We helped during the floods like we were supposed to. Now you're arresting us. We'll end our lives."
Kanan Singh is the main accused in the February 2024 attack on the house of Additional Superintendent of Police Moirangthem Amit and the kidnapping that followed. At that time, Kanan was a head constable in the state police commando unit, but he was later suspended for neglecting his duty.
The protesters were members of the Meitei volunteer group Arambai Tenggol, which had earlier been accused of attacking Kuki villages during ethnic clashes. They shouted slogans demanding the release of their leader and set tyres on fire on the roads.
After the arrest, large crowds gathered, and the situation quickly turned tense. Roads were set on fire, and about 50 gunshots were heard in the area. Security forces were sent in to control the chaos.
During the violence, angry mobs set fire to two buses and a jeep used by the security forces. Several CCTV cameras at major traffic points were also damaged.
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