Internet cut as Meitei leader’s arrest sparks protests in Manipur

In a statement, the CBI said it arrested Asem at Imphal airport over his involvement in “various criminal activities related to Manipur violence in 2023” and that he has been taken to Guwahati in connection with the investigation.

“It may be recalled that CBI is investigating Manipur violence cases as per the direction of Hon’ble Supreme Court of India. The trial of the Manipur violence cases have been shifted from Manipur to Guwahati in view of the law and order situation in Manipur. The said arrested member of Arambai Tenggol has been brought from Imphal to Guwahati and he will be produced before the competent court for police remand. Investigation is continuing,” the CBI said.

According to officials, Asem was also allegedly involved in the February 2024 abduction of an Additional SP of Imphal West from his home.

On Saturday night, as reports of the detention spread, protests erupted with protesters torching tyres and blocking roads in different parts of Imphal city. Confrontations between security forces and protestors were also reported at the Kwakeithel area, leaving multiple protesters injured.

Internet and mobile data services, including VSAT and VPN services, were suspended in the early hours of Sunday in the districts of Imphal East and West, Kakching, Thoubal and Bishnupur for five days through an order issued by Manipur Home Commissioner N Ashok Kumar.

The order cited the apprehension that “some anti-social elements might use social media extensively for transmission of images, hate speech and hate video messages inciting the passions of the public which might have serious repercussions for the law and order situation in the state of Manipur.”

Internet services were last snapped in these districts in September last year after protests following a renewed escalation of violence in the state.

Following the latest protests, prohibitory orders under section 163 of the BNS were imposed across the valley districts citing “apprehension of serious breach of peace, disturbance to public tranquility, riot or affray in the area, and grave danger to human lives and properties due to unlawful activities of anti-social elements.” In Bishnupur district, a total curfew was imposed with effect from 11 pm of June 7.

Meanwhile, the Centre is expected to hold talks on Monday with one of the Kuki-Zo groups under Suspension of Operation (SoO) agreement with the government. The meeting will be held with Advisor to MHA on North East A K Mishra.

Sources said the meeting will largely focus on how to take the talks forward and discuss ways to arrive at a framework. “Issues related to existing ceasefire agreements are not on the table yet. The demands pushed by the Kuki groups since the onset of violence will also be taken up later,” a government source said. Meitei groups are opposed to the government engaging SoO groups in talks.

On Sunday, despite the heavy deployment of security forces, including the Army, in and around Imphal city, protesters enforced road blockades in several areas. At Keishampat in Imphal West district, a 13-year-old boy sustained injuries when a tear gas shell, which was allegedly fired by security forces, exploded.

Also on Sunday, an all-political party delegation comprising 26 MLAs and Rajya Sabha MP Leishemba Sanajaoba met Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla. Congress MLA Okram Surjakumar said the delegates requested the Governor to make public the reason behind the arrest of the Arambai Tenggol leader. “The Governor clarified that the AT leader was arrested in connection with a CBI related case. However, the four other members who were arrested with the leader are under verification and would be released after the verification process is over,” said Surjakumar.

The NIA, meanwhile, said in a statement that it has arrested two more insurgents in connection with an attack on an IRB post in the Manipur border town of Moreh in January 2024 in which two police personnel had been killed, taking the total number of arrests in this case to three.