Imphal: Manipur has plunged into a fresh wave of unrest following a string of high-profile arrests carried out by central agencies, sparking protests and shutdowns in several sensitive regions of the state.
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on June 7 arrested former Head Constable Ashem Kanan Singh (46) from Imphal on charges linked to cross-border arms smuggling and serious criminal activities. Singh, who was officially dismissed from service on March 3, 2025, had long been under the scanner for alleged connections with underground networks. His arrest triggered immediate backlash across various valley areas, with protestors taking to the streets. Authorities swiftly deployed police and paramilitary forces to control the situation and prevent escalation.
Meanwhile, in a parallel development, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) made crucial progress in its probe into the January 17, 2024 Moreh ambush that killed two police commandos and injured several others in Tengnoupal district.
Three men were arrested in connection with the ambush:
• Thangminlen Mate, affiliated with Kuki Inpi Tengnoupal (KIT), was nabbed from Silchar, Assam on May 19.
• Kamginthang Gangte of the Kuki National Army (KNA) and
• Hentinthang Kipgen, also known as Thangneo Kipgen, reportedly associated with the Village Volunteers group in Churachandpur, were arrested on June 6 from within Manipur.
The arrests have reignited tensions in the hill districts, with several civil society organisations (CSOs) calling for shutdowns and protest rallies across Moreh and Tengnoupal on June 6 and 7, condemning what they allege to be selective targeting and lack of transparency.
In response, the Manipur Police issued a public appeal for calm, urging citizens not to support the protest calls, stating that the arrests were based on credible evidence and part of ongoing investigations into unlawful and insurgent activities.
Security has been tightened across vulnerable areas as authorities monitor the situation closely. The state government reiterated its commitment to upholding law and order while ensuring that justice is served through due process.
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