<p>Guwahati: A former head constable of Manipur police, who now heads the "armed wing" of Arambai Tenggol, a radical Meitei outfit, has become the focal point of fresh unrest in Manipur that broke out on Saturday night.</p><p>Meitei men and women spilled onto the streets of the capital Imphal and elsewhere on Saturday night soon after reports spread that Ashem Kanan Singh and a few other members of Arambai Tenggol were arrested by police. </p><p>The protest intensified on Sunday morning as police remained silent. On Sunday afternoon, the state police revealed that Kanan was arrested by the CBI from Imphal airport a few hours before. </p><p>Later CBI issued a statement saying Kanan was arrested for his alleged involvement in the Meitei-Kuki conflict in 2023. Police later said Kanan (46), was a head constable in the state police till he was terminated from service on March 3 this year for his involvement in various criminal activities including cross-border smuggling of arms.</p><p>He was arrested for his criminal activities which include several acts of grave nature and involvement in unlawful activities and criminal cases registered against him, police said. </p>.Meitei leader's arrest: Protests continue overnight in Manipur defying prohibitory orders.<p><strong>Kanan in Tenggol</strong></p><p>Arambai Tenggol, which began as socio-cultural organisation in 2020 for protection and preservation of the Meitei culture, got prominence as the group members allegedly took up arms against the Kukis. </p><p>The group had allegedly looted many sophisticated weapons from police battalions on May 4, a day after the conflict involving the Meitei and the Kuki community erupted. Kanan, according to police officials, helped the Arambai Tenggol in looting and procurement of weapons. </p><p>The group, however, deposited 246 weapons, including AK series rifles, before the security forces in February this year following promulgation of the President's Rule. The President's Rule was imposed after N. Biren Singh resigned as the CM. </p><p>Tenggol members were even seen carrying out rescue efforts during the flood that hit the valley last week. The group's clout increased so much that several BJP MLAs and Rajya Sabha member Leishema Sanajoba, also the descendent of erstwhile Meitei kingdom, on Sunday urged for Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla's intervention for Kanan's release. </p><p>Despite protests, Kanan was shifted to Guwahati for investigation into the cases registered by the CBI related to the Meitei-Kuki conflict in 2023. The protests continued on Monday too. </p>
<p>Guwahati: A former head constable of Manipur police, who now heads the "armed wing" of Arambai Tenggol, a radical Meitei outfit, has become the focal point of fresh unrest in Manipur that broke out on Saturday night.</p><p>Meitei men and women spilled onto the streets of the capital Imphal and elsewhere on Saturday night soon after reports spread that Ashem Kanan Singh and a few other members of Arambai Tenggol were arrested by police. </p><p>The protest intensified on Sunday morning as police remained silent. On Sunday afternoon, the state police revealed that Kanan was arrested by the CBI from Imphal airport a few hours before. </p><p>Later CBI issued a statement saying Kanan was arrested for his alleged involvement in the Meitei-Kuki conflict in 2023. Police later said Kanan (46), was a head constable in the state police till he was terminated from service on March 3 this year for his involvement in various criminal activities including cross-border smuggling of arms.</p><p>He was arrested for his criminal activities which include several acts of grave nature and involvement in unlawful activities and criminal cases registered against him, police said. </p>.Meitei leader's arrest: Protests continue overnight in Manipur defying prohibitory orders.<p><strong>Kanan in Tenggol</strong></p><p>Arambai Tenggol, which began as socio-cultural organisation in 2020 for protection and preservation of the Meitei culture, got prominence as the group members allegedly took up arms against the Kukis. </p><p>The group had allegedly looted many sophisticated weapons from police battalions on May 4, a day after the conflict involving the Meitei and the Kuki community erupted. Kanan, according to police officials, helped the Arambai Tenggol in looting and procurement of weapons. </p><p>The group, however, deposited 246 weapons, including AK series rifles, before the security forces in February this year following promulgation of the President's Rule. The President's Rule was imposed after N. Biren Singh resigned as the CM. </p><p>Tenggol members were even seen carrying out rescue efforts during the flood that hit the valley last week. The group's clout increased so much that several BJP MLAs and Rajya Sabha member Leishema Sanajoba, also the descendent of erstwhile Meitei kingdom, on Sunday urged for Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla's intervention for Kanan's release. </p><p>Despite protests, Kanan was shifted to Guwahati for investigation into the cases registered by the CBI related to the Meitei-Kuki conflict in 2023. The protests continued on Monday too. </p>