The Manipur government on Tuesday eased daytime restrictions in several districts of the Imphal Valley, following days of heightened tension after the arrest of a key leader from the Meitei armed group Arambai Tenggol.
As per orders issued by respective district magistrates, curfew restrictions were lifted from 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. in Imphal East, Imphal West, Bishnupur, Kakching, and Thoubal.
Although daytime movement has been permitted, authorities have strictly prohibited any actions that might disturb public peace. The directives continue to enforce bans on public gatherings exceeding five individuals and the public possession of weapons, stones, sticks, firearms, or explosives.
The curfew had originally been enforced on Saturday night in Bishnupur and was subsequently extended to the other valley districts in response to escalating protests after the arrest of Asem Kanan Singh, a prominent Arambai Tenggol figure.
In tandem with the curfew, the government also suspended internet access and mobile data services, including VSAT and VPN connections, for a five-day period in these Meitei-majority districts. This move aimed to curb the spread of provocative or misleading content through social media platforms. However, government departments involved in emergency services, law enforcement, banking, and financial operations were exempted from these restrictions.
The unrest stemmed from the arrest of Asem Kanan Singh, reportedly the “army chief” of Arambai Tenggol, who was detained by a joint team of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and Manipur Police in Imphal West on Saturday evening.
Attempts by a large crowd in the Kwakeithel locality to block the police convoy and rescue Singh from custody led to security forces opening fire to disperse the demonstrators.
On Sunday, Singh was taken into custody by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in connection with his alleged role in the ethnic violence that gripped Manipur in 2023.
Officials said Singh, who was previously a head constable, had been terminated from police service in March over accusations of involvement in illegal activities, including arms trafficking across borders.
Widespread demonstrations followed Singh’s arrest, with protesters burning tyres and obstructing roads at multiple locations in Imphal West, notably along the Tiddim Road and Uripok areas, demanding his immediate release.
Amid this growing public outrage, Arambai Tenggol declared a 10-day shutdown to protest the detention. However, on Tuesday, the group announced that it would suspend the shutdown.
“We demonstrated our unity through the protests,” said the group’s spokesperson Robin Mangang, as quoted by The Hindu. “The arrest of Ashem Kanan Singh was unrelated to Arambai Tenggol; it was personal. Arambai Tenggol got involved because he is one of its leaders. We cannot sit quietly.”
He further stated, the organisation was calling off the shutdown with immediate effect, but would continue democratic forms of protest until Singh’s release.
Mangang emphasized the group’s decision was made to reduce public suffering: “We suspended the shutdown to lessen the inconvenience faced by the people across the valley.”
Throughout the last three days, the Imphal Valley saw intense demonstrations, with residents openly defying curfew norms to voice their dissent. Clashes broke out between Arambai Tenggol supporters and security forces, further escalating tensions in the region.
The volatile situation prompted lawmakers from different political factions to approach Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla to urge his intervention in restoring law and order. Meanwhile, former Chief Minister N. Biren Singh also visited New Delhi to reportedly brief central leadership about the evolving crisis.
The ethnic conflict that has engulfed Manipur since May 2023, primarily between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo-Hmar communities, has led to the deaths of over 260 individuals and displaced more than 59,000 people, mostly from the Kuki communities. The continuing instability saw the imposition of President’s Rule in February this year following the resignation of Chief Minister Biren Singh.
