Protests continued on Sunday against the arrest of the leaders of Maetai organization Arambai Teengol in Manipur. The administration has implemented ban in five districts of Imphal Valley and internet services have been suspended. Officials said the protesters, violating the orders, burnt tires on the roads in Uripok and Koirne and Imphal East in Imphal West district.
In Koirnenei, the protesters dug up the road to stop the movement of security forces and put mud piles on the main roads. Similar demonstrations were also seen in the neighboring district of Jiribam in Assam. After the beginning of violent demonstrations, a ban has been implemented in Imphal West, Imphal East, Thobal, Bishnupur and Kakching districts since Saturday night. Along with this, internet and mobile data services have been suspended in these valley areas, including V-SAT and VPN facilities.
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Unidentified miscreants set fire to the Sub-Divisional Collector (SDC) office in Yeripok Tulihal, under the jurisdiction of Andro Center in Imphal Eastern District, at around 7:45 pm today. The government records and infrastructure have suffered a lot of damage before the fire is overcome. The protesters threatened the administration to commit self -immolation by putting petrol on themselves. A video of this has also surfaced. In which many protesters are standing and putting petrol on themselves.
Governor meets delegation of MLAs
Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla held a security review meeting with senior officials on Sunday in view of the deteriorating situation in the state. A statement issued by Raj Bhavan said that the Governor also met a delegation of MLAs who informed the Governor about the current law and order situation in the state and demanded their intervention to help find solutions.
Raj Bhavan said in a statement, “Today a group of MLAs met Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla at Raj Bhavan, during which the MLAs apprised the governor about the current state of the state.” The Governor assured the delegation that “all necessary steps are being taken to remove concerns and restore normal conditions.” The delegation consisted of at least 20 MLAs of the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Congress.
Autolation with the arrest of a member of the Arambai Teengol Organization
After the meeting with the Governor, BJP MLA K. Ibomcha, who was involved in the delegation, said that a total of five people have been arrested in connection with the previous incidents of violence, due to which extensive protests have started in the state since Saturday. Ibomcha also informed that one of the five arrested people has been arrested by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Sunday arrested a member of the Arambai Teengol organization from Imphal Airport on charges of alleged involvement in criminal activities related to violence in Manipur in 2023.
The CBI said in its statement that the arrested person has been brought from Imphal to Guwahati and will be produced in a competent court for police remand. MLA from Lamlai assembly constituency KBI has been arrested during the meeting, “One of them has been arrested in a case. We have arrested one of them, Kanan Singh.
Violence, tires and old furniture burnt in protest
On Saturday, protesters burnt tires and old furniture on the streets in Quakethel and Uripok. He demanded the release of Maetai leaders. On the night of 7 June, there was a clash between the protesters and the security forces at various places in Imphal. The mob set a bus on fire at Khurai Lammong in Imphal East district.
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Security forces released several rounds of tear gas shells to disperse the crowd near Kangla Gate, about 200 meters from Raj Bhavan. Security has been tightened on all the roads leading to Raj Bhavan and additional deployment of central forces has been done. The order issued by the District Magistrate of Imphal West states that peace is disturbed, serious obstruction in public system and danger in human life and property.
Ban on gathering of people under BNSS
Under this, under Section 163 (2) of the Indian Civil Protection Code (BNSS), five or more people have been banned and lathi, stone, sharp weapons etc. have been banned. Similar precautionary action has been taken in the thumb and Kakching districts. In Imphal East and Bishnupur districts, people have been banned from getting out of the house from 10 pm on Saturday night to further orders. This order has been implemented under Section 163 (1) of BNSS.
A senior police officer said, “The protests became violent after the arrest of the leaders of Arambai Teengol. Three people have been injured in a clash between agitators and security forces. All necessary precautionary steps have been taken.” Internet services have been suspended for five days in five districts of the valley from 11:45 pm on Saturday night.
Why was the ban imposed on social media?
The order issued by the Commissioner-cum-Secretary (Griha) N Ashok Kumar states, “Looking at the current law and order situation in Imphal East, Imphal West, Thobbal, Kakching and Bishnupur districts, it is feared that some anti-social elements may share inflammatory photos, vulgar language and hatred on social media, which may spread videos in the state.”
It has also been said in the order that if a person is found to be violating this order, then legal action will be taken against him. Especially since May 2023, in Manipur, more than 260 people have been killed and thousands of people have died in ethnic violence between Metai and Cookie-Communities. Following the resignation of Chief Minister N Biren Singh, the Central Government implemented President’s rule in Manipur on 13 February. The state assembly has been suspended, whose term was till 2027.