IT News
Imphal, Feb 21:
Massive protests broke out across Manipur’s valley districts on Friday following the arrest of village volunteers in Kakching district. Demonstrators took to the streets, burning tyres and blocking roads in several areas to express their outrage against the security forces’ actions.
According to officials, security personnel conducted an early morning operation in Panjao Pallumda, Kakching district, arresting more than 10 village volunteers. The detainees were later taken to a security forces camp at Phundrei in Thoubal district. Reports further stated that around 28 members of Arambai Tengol, including the commander of Unit-26 Kakching, were apprehended by the Assam Rifles in the early hours of Friday.
Eyewitnesses claimed that locals attempted to stop the security convoy from taking the detainees away. However, the security forces swiftly transported the Arambai Tengol members in their vehicles from the Panlao-Panjin area, where the group had an operational base.
The arrests come just a day after Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla issued a stern warning, urging people to voluntarily surrender looted and illegally held weapons within a week. The Governor had cautioned that strict action would be taken against violators once the deadline expired.
Protests were reported in multiple districts, including Imphal East, Imphal West, Thoubal, and Kakching. In Imphal, demonstrators forced the closure of markets and roadside shops in key locations such as Wangkhei, Uripok, Thangmeiband, Kongba, Canchipur and Khurai.
The situation remains tense, with security forces closely monitoring developments across the valley districts to prevent further escalation.
