Members of the Apunba Meira Paibi Lup, Ward No. 9 of Keishamthong Assembly Constituency, staged a protest demonstration today and submitted a memorandum to the Governor of Manipur demanding the unconditional release of members of Arambai Tengol who were recently arrested by security agencies.
The protesters assembled at Keishampat Leimajam Leikai at around 2:30 p.m. and began marching towards Lok Bhavan at around 3 p.m. However, a team of Manipur Police stopped them at Keishampat Junction, preventing the procession from proceeding further.
Following a brief confrontation between the protesters and the police personnel, authorities allowed a small delegation of the Meira Paibi group to proceed and submit the memorandum to the Governor.
In the memorandum, the Apunba Meira Paibi Lup stated that the youths of Manipur, particularly members of Arambai Tengol, had surrendered looted and illegally held weapons to the state authorities following an appeal made by Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla on February 20, 2025.
The memorandum alleged that several youths were arrested by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) from their respective residences during the intervening night of June 18 and 19. It further claimed that the arrests were carried out without the issuance of arrest memos.
Expressing concern over what it termed as excessive action against the youths, the organisation stated that the Meira Paibi movement would not remain silent if such actions continued, especially in light of the Governor’s earlier appeal and assurances regarding the surrender of weapons.
The women’s group demanded the immediate and unconditional release of the arrested youths and cautioned that failure to do so could lead to further forms of democratic protest.