Imphal: An indefinite curfew has been imposed in the Bishnupur district of Manipur and internet services have been suspended in five districts (including Bishnupur) for five days after fresh violence erupted on Saturday evening over the arrest of a member of the valley-based insurgent group Arambai Tenggol (AT).
The other districts where internet services have been suspended are Kakching, Thoubal, Imphal East and Imphal West. Prohibitory orders have also been imposed in these districts, disallowing the assembly of four or more persons at any point of time.
According to authorities, AT member Kanan Meitei was arrested by a joint team of National Investigation Agency (NIA) and Manipur Police in Imphal West on Saturday after which violence erupted. The police were forced to open fire to control the mob. No casualties or injuries have been reported.
Kanan, a self-styled “army chief” of the AT, was arrested by the NIA around 9.40 pm on Saturday, an official said. Soon, hundreds of people took to the streets to intercept the police convoy and snatch him from custody near Kwakithel in Imphal West district.
AT is an armed radical Meitei group, which gained prominence after ethnic violence erupted in the State on May 3, 2024. Nearly 250 people have died in ethnic clashes between the Meiteis and the hill-based Kuki-Zo tribe since then. Thousands have been rendered homeless.
Earlier, the NIA had registered at least two cases to investigate the role of AT members in the Manipur violence and loot of police weapons from armouries.
In February this year, President’s Rule was imposed in Manipur after the N Biren Singh-led government in the state resigned.
