Violent protests erupt in Manipur over arrest of Meitei community leader, curfew imposed

A group of young men poured petrol on their heads and threatened to set themselves ablaze in Imphal during the protest.

Protests broke out on Saturday night in Imphal after the security forces arrested AT leader, Kanan Singh.

The protesters burnt tyres on the road and blocked roads while some Imphal residents also reported gunfire sounds.

Visuals of the protest showed a group of young men in black t-shirts holding bottles containing petrol while one of them was heard saying, "We have given up arms. We have done what you're supposed to do during the floods. Now you're arresting us. We will kill ourselves."

Kanan Singh is the main suspect in the attack on the house of Additional Superintendent of Police Moirangthem Amit and the subsequent kidnapping of the senior police officer in February 2024.

During that time, he served as a head constable attached to a commando unit of the state police before the force suspended him over "dereliction of duty".

Thereafter, Kanan Singh joined the AT.

A curfew has been imposed and the internet has been snapped for five days in five districts - Bishnupur, Imphal West, Imphal East, Thoubal, and Kakching.

The protesters referred to the AT handing over firearms on the assurance of security guarantee of Meitei villages in the foothills in February after Manipur Governor AK Bhalla, under the President's rule, ordered everyone in the border state to hand over illegally held and looted firearms.

AT members were also seen in flood relief work in recent days in Manipur's valley areas.

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) is looking into several cases in Manipur, including against AT chief Korounganba Khuman.