Manipur MLAs urge governor’s intervention

Imphal

 Amid renewed unrest in Manipur, a group of 25 MLAs representing various political parties met Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla on Sunday, seeking his intervention to resolve the ongoing ethnic crisis and restore law and order in the state.

A Raj Bhavan official stated that the Governor assured the delegation that necessary steps are being taken to address public concerns and restore normalcy. The Governor also convened a high-level security review meeting at Raj Bhavan, attended by Security Advisor Kuldiep Singh, DGP Rajiv Singh, Home Commissioner N. Ashok Kumar, and senior officials from CRPF, Assam Rifles, and the state police.

Fresh violence erupted in Imphal East and West after the arrest of Arambai Tenggol member Kanan Singh and four others by security forces on Saturday. Following the arrests, protesters torched vehicles, including those belonging to security forces, and clashed with personnel, resulting in injuries to 10 people, including a journalist.

In response, large groups of men and women blocked major roads at Kwakeithel and Uripok using burning tyres and furniture, demanding the release of the detainees. In a dramatic act, some Arambai Tenggol members poured petrol on themselves in symbolic protest.

The outfit has called for a 10-day statewide shutdown starting Sunday. To curb unrest, the state government has suspended mobile internet and data services for five days and imposed indefinite curfews in five districts: Imphal East, Imphal West, Thoubal, Bishnupur, and Kakching. Heavy deployment of central and state forces continues in sensitive areas.