By Soumya Ranjan JFollowing the arrest of a Meitei leader by security and forces on Saturday, violent protests broke out in several parts of Manipur.
Violent protests erupted in Kwakeithel, Imphal West, in Manipur on Saturday night after a leader of the Meitei outfit, Arambai Tenggol, was arrested by security forces, officials said. The authorities have suspended the internet and mobile data services in five valley districts for five days.
The district of Bishnupur has also been placed under curfew. Prohibitive orders have been issued by the administration in Thoubal, Kakching, Imphal East, and Imphal West.
“Internet and mobile data services, including VSAT and VPN, have been suspended in Imphal West, Imphal East, Thoubal, Kakching, and Bishnupur districts of Manipur for 5 days with effect from 11.45 PM, June 7 due to the current law and order situation,” officials stated.
Shouting slogans calling for their leader’s release and burning tires on the roads, the demonstrators were members of the Meitei volunteer group Arambai Tenggol, which is suspected of attacking Kuki villages during the earlier ethnic violence.
Large crowds gathered on the streets and set the roads on fire shortly after the arrest. As tension grew, about 50 rounds of gunfire could be heard in the vicinity. To control the situation, security personnel were sent in.
During the disturbance, irate mobs set fire to two security force buses and one jeep. Additionally, a number of CCTV cameras that were positioned at strategic intersections were vandalized.
Protests and gunfire continued until this morning.
Arambai Tenggol has demanded a total shutdown for ten days.
Following the arrest of five members of the Meitei group Arambai Tenggol, including one of their commanders, protests erupted in the Imphal Valley. In the evening, angry demonstrators stormed the Kwakeithel Police Outpost in Imphal West, calling for their release. Security personnel fired shots into the air to maintain control of the situation.
Simultaneously, Moreh, a town in Tengnoupal district close to the Myanmar border, was closed on Saturday. The arrest of a Kuki-Zo man was being protested by the locals. Moreh has been placed on high alert, but the protests there have remained nonviolent.