Latest news with #ArambaiTengol
Hindustan Times
5 days ago
- Hindustan Times
Person with disability found dead in Manipur; Arambai Tengol members held
A 29-year-old person with a disability was found dead in Imphal West on Tuesday, days after the members of the Meitei group Arambai Tengol allegedly abducted him, sparking fresh tensions in the ethnic violence-hit Manipur. Residents took to the streets demanding action against Chesam Abdul Kadir's killers. Police fired tear gas shells to disperse the protesters, who retaliated by throwing stones and using slingshots. Police said Kadir went missing on June 10. Nine people, including six Arambai Tengol members, were arrested in the case and remanded in police custody until June 28. Police also seized five vehicles. A police officer, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the arrested accused admitted that Kadir died while they 'questioned him' over an alleged theft attempt. 'They also confessed to burying his body near a riverbank.' Yunus Khan of the Disabled Development Association of Manipur said Kadir was assaulted and killed mercilessly. 'He had a Unique Disability ID issued by the government and had a 65% disability. Disabled individuals are often discriminated against and falsely accused, which must be stopped.' The murder came to light amid a series of arrests of Arambai Tenggol members as part of an ongoing crackdown in Manipur. On June 12 and 13, two Arambai Tenggol members were arrested for their alleged involvement in a June 9 mob attack that left additional police superintendent Wangkhomba Okramcha injured. The arrest of five Arambai Tenggol members, including Kanan Singh, this month over their involvement in the ethnic violence in the state, triggered the latest wave of unrest in Manipur. Hundreds of protesters resorted to arson and threw stones at security forces as the news of the arrest broke. The Arambai Tenggol demanded the immediate release of the five and announced a 10-day shutdown, which was called off four days later. Kanan Singh was dismissed from the police force this year over his alleged involvement in smuggling weapons and looting armouries. The authorities suspended broadband and mobile data services in Imphal East and West, Kakching, Thoubal, and Bishnupur, saying some 'anti-social elements might use social media' to incite the public in the aftermath of Kanan Singh's arrest. A curfew was reimposed in Bishnupur for the first time this year. The movement of people in the valley districts was restricted due to apprehension of a breach of peace. The protracted violence between Meiteis and Kukis in Manipur was triggered in May 2023 and has left around 250 people dead and thousands displaced. Meiteis live largely in the plains of the Imphal valley, and the Kukis in the hills. They have withdrawn to their respective strongholds. The groups have since 2023 set up road blockades on highways to restrict each other's and the movement of essential items between their strongholds. Kuki leaders have blamed Arambai Tenggol for the violence.
Hindustan Times
14-06-2025
- Hindustan Times
Manipur: 328 firearms, 10,600 rounds seized as forces step up arms crackdown
Imphal: At least 328 firearms and 10,600 rounds of ammunition were recovered during search operations in the outskirts of five valley districts — Imphal East, Imphal West, Bishnupur, Thoubal, and Kakching — in Manipur, police said on Saturday. The joint operation was carried out on Friday by the Manipur police, Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs), Indian Army, and Assam Rifles (AR). 'The operations were launched during the intervening night of June 13 and 14, 2025, based on specific intelligence inputs suggesting the presence of hidden weapons in these areas,' a statement issued by the Manipur Police on Saturday read. According to the statement, the 328 firearms recovered in the operation include 151 self-loading rifles (SLRs), 65 INSAS rifles, 73 assorted rifles, 12 light machine guns (LMGs), 6 AK-series rifles, 5 carbine guns, 2 MP5 guns, 2 Amogh rifles, one AR-15 rifle, six pistols, two flare guns, one mortar, and two barrels. Additionally, over 10,600 rounds of ammunition were seized. 'This included 3,534 SLR rounds, 2,186 INSAS rounds, 2,252 .303 rounds, 407 Amogh rounds, 234 AK rounds, and 20 rounds of 9mm ammunition. The operation also led to the recovery of 591 assorted magazines, 10 hand grenades, three lathodes, seven detonators, and three para rounds,' the statement read. 'The Manipur Police reiterated its commitment to maintaining peace and security and urged the public to cooperate by reporting any suspicious activities or illegal arms hoarding to the nearest police station or the Central Control Room. Security forces are expected to continue such operations in a focused and sustained manner to bring lasting normalcy to the region,' additional director general of police (ADGP) of Manipur Police Lhari Dorjee Lhatoo said. Also read: Manipur: Ban on internet service lifted in five districts This latest recovery, which is part of a broader crackdown by the authorities to curb the circulation of illegal arms in Manipur, comes amid ongoing tensions following the arrest of five Arambai Tengol volunteers, including a key leader, Asem Kanan, who was formally arrested by a central bureau of investigation (CBI) team on June 8 at Imphal's Bir Tikendrajit International Airport. The remaining four volunteers were released late Sunday night. In response, the Meitei group Arambai Tengol called for a 10-day total shutdown in the state, which was suspended on June 10, coinciding with the visit of former chief minister N. Biren Singh and Rajya Sabha MP Leishemba Sanajaoba to the national capital after being summoned by Union Home Minister Amit Shah on June 9. Since the outbreak of violence on May 3, 2023, more than 6,000 weapons and lakhs of rounds of ammunition were looted from police armouries across the state. Also Read: Amit Shah keen on restoring elected government in Manipur: Former CM Biren Singh After Ajay Kumar Bhalla was appointed Governor of Manipur, he issued an appeal on February 20, 2025, urging all communities to surrender looted and illegal arms within seven days. On the final day of the ultimatum, February 27, Arambai Tengol surrendered 307 weapons. However, Kuki-Zo groups refused to comply with the Governor's directive, declaring that they would not relinquish their weapons until their demand for a separate administration was fulfilled.
Hindustan Times
13-06-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Manipur: Ban on internet service lifted in five districts
The Manipur government on Friday lifted the suspension of internet and mobile data services in five valley districts — Imphal West, Imphal East, Thoubal, Kakching, and Bishnupur from 6am onward, officials confirmed. Since June 7 (11:45pm) internet service was initially suspended in the valley districts of Manipur for five days including Imphal West, Imphal East,Thoubal, Bishnupur and Kakching of Manipur. An order from Home department, Manipur signed by commissioner-cum-secretary (Home), government of Manipur issued on Thursday late night mentioned that 'in view of overall improvement of law and order in these districts and the inconveniences faced by the general public during such period of suspension of internet service, State government has decided to lift any form of internet shutdown in the territorial jurisdiction of these districts.' Also Read: Amit Shah keen on restoring elected government in Manipur: Former CM Biren Singh The temporary internet ban was put in place due to concerns over public safety, potential loss of life, and damage to property, following the arrest of five members of a Meitei group, Arambai Tengol, including one of its leaders, Asem Kanan on June 7. Kanan was later formally arrested by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) at Bir Tikendrajit International Airport, Imphal, on Sunday. Police confirmed that the remaining four AT volunteers were released on Sunday night. The government requested all internet users to refrain from any activities which may warrant any further internet suspension in future, the order added. Since Manipur has been under President's Rule with state under suspended animation from February 13, this was the first time people of valley districts faced suspension of internet service in the state. Manipur, which was torn by ethnic strife for close to two years after violence started in May 2023, has been witnessing fresh tension since June 7.
United News of India
10-06-2025
- Business
- United News of India
Internet shutdown affects life in Manipur
Imphal, June 10 (UNI) Frequent clampdowns on the internet in Manipur has seriously disturbed the functioning of government, private and business establishments. The latest ban was imposed on June 7 in five districts, including the state capital, following the arrest of a leader of a local organization. The Net ban was followed by an indefinite curfew and a 10-day bandh by Arambai Tengol for the arrest of its leader. The internet shutdown has brought all online services to a complete halt. As efforts were on to restore electricity in flood-affected areas , online recharge by customers could not be carried out. A person from Khurai said he could not recharge as there is no internet service and he could not go to the electricity office due to the bandh and curfew. The Manipur State Power Distribution Company Limited (MSPDCL) has a prepaid electric recharge counter at Keishampat , Imphal near Raj Bhawan. Most homes and offices in Manipur have prepaid electric connections which automatically cut off after the recharge amount expires. Most banks are unable to give required cash in the desired denominations and only Rs 500 notes are available. ATMs are not properly functioning which has led to shortage of cash in the market. Online transactions could not be carried out due to the absence of the internet. Long queues were seen in front of MSPDCL prepaid electric recharge counter at Keishampat , Imphal West . A consumer said it takes about two hours to reach the counter as the queue is very long. Students and people who work online have been seriously affected as everything is done online. In 2023, Manipur faced internet blackout for 142 days followed by intermittent ban in 2024. The ban announced on June 7, 2025 is the first case of internet ban this year. UNI NS PRS
