Protests Rock Manipur Over Meitei Leaders' Arrests; Curfew, Net Ban Imposed in 5 Districts

Violent protests over the arrest of leaders from the Meitei outfit Arambai Tenggol escalated across Manipur on Sunday, prompting authorities to clamp prohibitory orders and suspend internet services in five Imphal valley districts, even as demonstrators defied curbs, blocked roads, and clashed with security forces in multiple areas, officials said.

- MPOST BUREAU

Protesters burnt tyres on roads at Uripok and Koirengei in Imphal West district and Khurai in Imphal East, defying the prohibitory orders, they said.

At Koirengei, demonstrators dug up the road and made heaps of soil on the thoroughfares to prevent the movement of security forces.

Similar agitations were also staged in Jiribam district, neighbouring Assam.

Prohibitory orders have been clamped in Imphal West, Imphal East, Thoubal, Bishnupur and Kakching districts, while internet and mobile data services, including VSAT and VPN facilities, have been suspended in these valley areas since Saturday night after violent protests erupted over the arrests of leaders of the Meitei outfit Arambai Tenggol.

Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla on Sunday held a security review meeting with senior officials in the wake of the demonstrations across the state.

A Raj Bhavan statement said the governor also met a delegation of MLAs who apprised Bhalla of the current law and order situation in the northeastern state.

"Today, a group of MLAs called on Governor of Manipur, Ajay Kumar Bhalla, at Raj Bhavan during which the MLAs apprised the governor of the current law and order situation in the state and requested his intervention to help find an amicable solution," the Raj Bhavan statement said. The governor told the delegation that all "necessary steps are being taken to address the concerns and to restore normalcy", it said.

The delegation of at least 20 legislators comprised those of the BJP and the Congress.