Meira Paibi groups and local clubs across Manipur protested the arrest of Arambai Tenggol members by the NIA and demanded their immediate release.
Imphal, June 20: Meira Paibi organisations and local clubs across Manipur on Saturday intensified their opposition to the recent arrests of Arambai Tenggol members by central investigative agencies, demanding the immediate and unconditional release of those detained and warning of widespread democratic agitations if the arrests continue.
The protests and press conferences were held at multiple locations, including the Manipur Press Club, Imphal Rising Club, Thoubal Melaground, Kakching, Mayang Imphal and several other localities, reflecting growing public mobilisation over the issue.
At a press conference held at Manipur Press Club, attended by Meira Paibi representatives from different parts of the state, speakers expressed strong resentment over the detention of Arambai Tenggol members and questioned the circumstances under which the arrests were made.
Speaking on behalf of the gathering, Keithellakpam Kegesana said the mothers of Manipur were deeply concerned about the arrests and urged the authorities to release the detained youths without delay.
According to her, when ethnic violence erupted across Manipur on May 3, 2023, many innocent civilians were left vulnerable as clashes spread across several districts. She alleged that armed Kuki groups carried out attacks, arson and killings while both state and central security forces failed to effectively control the situation during the early stages of the conflict.
Kegesana claimed that members of Arambai Tenggol stepped forward during that period to protect civilians and villages when people felt abandoned and insecure. "Had those youths not stood up at that time, many of us do not believe we would have survived safely," she said.
She maintained that Arambai Tenggol was originally established to promote religion, culture and faith and that its members took up arms only because of the extraordinary circumstances created by the conflict.
According to the Meira Paibi leader, the organisation no longer possesses weapons and had cooperated with government efforts to restore peace by surrendering arms earlier this year.
She alleged that an understanding had been reached between village volunteers and the Governor during the weapon surrender process, under which no members of Arambai Tenggol would be subjected to arrest or detention after handing over weapons.
"The mothers are not satisfied with what is happening today. Stop further arrests and release all detained members immediately. If our children are to be arrested continuously, then arrest us mothers as well," she said.
The latest protests come a day after the National Investigation Agency (NIA), Manipur Police and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) arrested ten accused persons during coordinated operations conducted across several districts of Manipur.
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According to NIA, the arrests were linked to multiple cases being investigated in connection with the ethnic violence that has affected the state since May 2023. The cases include the looting of arms and ammunition from the 5th India Reserve Battalion armoury, the Rs 18.85 crore Punjab National Bank robbery in Ukhrul district, the murder of a Hmar woman in Jiribam, the abduction and killing of civilians, attacks on security personnel including the deadly assault on CRPF personnel at Naransena, and the attack on the convoy of the then Chief Minister.
The agency stated that the arrests followed extensive investigations involving intelligence gathering, technical surveillance and field operations conducted over several months. It said the operation was aimed at bringing to justice individuals allegedly involved in criminal and violent activities linked to the conflict, irrespective of community affiliation.
However, the arrests have triggered strong reactions from several Meira Paibi groups and local organisations that contend that some of those detained had participated in community defence efforts during the violence.
Separate concerns were raised regarding the arrest of Kangabam Somananda of Tangkham Awang Leikai. At another press conference held at the Manipur Press Club, members of the Tangkham Awang Leikai Youth Club demanded his release within 24 hours, describing the allegations against him as baseless.
Youth Club executive member Tonjam Somorjit alleged that Somananda was arrested from his residence during an early morning operation involving personnel from the CRPF, NIA and state police.
He claimed that family members and local residents were initially unable to obtain information regarding his whereabouts following the arrest and criticised what he described as attempts to connect him with conflict-related cases.
Somorjit said many village volunteers who participated in community defence activities during the conflict had done so because they believed the government had failed to adequately protect citizens.
"Many youths who were studying or working as labourers stepped forward only because they felt the need to protect their land and their people. Later, when the government appealed for weapons to be surrendered, the volunteers complied," he said.
He argued that carrying out arrests after the surrender process had been completed was causing widespread resentment among local communities.
Strong criticism of the arrests was also voiced by the Sega Road Apunba Meira Paibi. Speaking at Imphal Rising Club in Keishamthong Longjam Leikai, Huidrom Bishoya, representing ten Meira Paibi groups from the Sega Road area, said many youths associated with Arambai Tenggol had joined community defence efforts after violence spread to several Meitei villages during the early days of the conflict.
She alleged that government agencies and security forces failed to adequately protect civilians when attacks occurred in places such as Torbung and Phougakchao Ikhai.
According to Bishoya, many students and working professionals abandoned their regular lives and joined volunteer efforts to defend local communities. She further claimed that after President's Rule was imposed in Manipur, Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla initiated a process aimed at restoring peace and encouraged village volunteers to surrender weapons.
The Governor, she alleged, assured volunteers that no action would be taken against them if they cooperated with the peace initiative.
"It is highly unacceptable that arrests and crackdowns are now being carried out against those who surrendered weapons and trusted the government's assurances," she said.
She demanded the immediate release of the arrested individuals and warned that Meira Paibi organisations would launch further democratic protests if their concerns were ignored.
The Tiddim Road Apunba Club and local Meira Paibi groups also issued statements condemning the arrests and supporting demands for the release of those detained.
Meanwhile, different Meira Paibi organisations in Thoubal district organised a protest gathering at Thoubal Melaground and issued a strongly worded statement.
The statement alleged that the government's handling of the conflict and the inability of security forces to prevent attacks on civilians had compelled many youths to take up defensive roles during the violence.
The women claimed that they personally witnessed the weapon surrender process and maintained that assurances had been given that no punitive action would follow.
Questioning why those assurances were allegedly not being honoured, the groups warned that public trust could be severely damaged if the government failed to address the issue.
The statement also announced plans to launch democratic protest programmes, including dharnas and sit-in demonstrations, from June 22 onwards if the detained individuals were not released.
The women further stated that if authorities believed village volunteers had committed offences, then the mothers who encouraged them to protect their communities should also be held accountable.
In Kakching district, public protests were organised by the Sekmaijin Apunba Meira Paibi at Sekmaijin Ningol Khong. Speaking at the gathering, Meira Paibi Secretary Mayengbam Thoibi said the violence of May 2023 resulted in extensive loss of life, destruction of homes and large-scale displacement across Manipur.
She argued that volunteer groups emerged because ordinary citizens felt vulnerable and unprotected. Thoibi said many mothers accepted the government's appeal for weapon surrender because they believed the authorities would ensure a peaceful future for the youths involved.
"The arrests are viewed by many mothers as an action that could create further tension instead of helping restore peace," she said.
She urged the government to release the detained individuals and avoid steps that could worsen the fragile situation.
Similar demonstrations were also reported from Konthoujam Khabam Maning Leikai in Imphal West district, Mayang Imphal Bazar and Hiyanglam Awang Leikai in Kakching district.
Participants at the various protest sites carried placards and raised slogans demanding the release of those arrested.
The issue also sparked protests in Uchiwa under the Mayang Imphal Assembly Constituency following the detention of Ningthoujam Momocha, 29.
According to local residents, police personnel visited his residence and asked him to report to the police station for questioning. Family members accompanied him, after which he was reportedly handed over to NIA and CRPF personnel. The incident prompted the All Uchiwa Apunba Meira Paibi to organise a protest gathering at Uchiwa Leirak Achouba Machin Market.
Speaking at the protest, Secretary Thongam Ibeyaima questioned the circumstances surrounding the detention and demanded that authorities disclose the specific allegations against Momocha. She described him as an innocent youth and said the community was dissatisfied with the manner in which he was taken into custody.
The protesters demanded his immediate release and warned that stronger agitations could be launched if their concerns were not addressed.
