Meitei, Kuki groups in Manipur demand release of those arrested by CBI, NIA for role in violence

Guwahati: Even as the solution to the conflict involving Meitei and Kuki communities still remains elusive, groups representing the two communities have stepped up demand for release of those arrested by the CBI and the NIA for their alleged role in the violence.

The Meitei-dominated Imphal Valley remained tense for the third day on Tuesday as organisations demonstrated against the arrest of Ashem Kanan Singh, a leader of Arambai Tenggol, a Meitei radical group. Singh, a former head constable of Manipur police, was arrested by the CBI on Sunday for his alleged involvement in the conflict in 2023.

Violent protests since Saturday night forced the administration to clamp curfew in some parts and curbed use of mobile internet for five days. Arambai Tenggol had announced a state-wide strike for 10-days but on Tuesday, the group decided to withdraw the same. Leaders of the group, however, told reporters in Imphal that they would launch "democratic protests" for Singh's release. A few other members of Meitei organisations were also arrested by the NIA for alleged attacks on the Kukis. Following Tenggol's decision, the administration decided to relax the curfew between 5am to 5pm on Wednesday. But the curb on mobile internet still remained in force.

Kukis against arrests:

Kuki-Zo Council, apex body of the Kuki-Zo organisations on Tuesday demanded unconditional release of at least six persons arrested by the NIA and CBI alleging their involvement in the conflict. "The Kuki-Zo people did not choose this war. The Meitei community, with the support of militant groups, launched an unprovoked and brutal assault on our people from May 3, 2023. Our villages were burned, our homes destroyed, and our people killed. The Kuki-Zo people were left with no choice but to defend themselves in the face of this aggression," the council said in a statement.

The council claimed that some members of the Arambai Tenggol were released while members of the Kuki communities were arrested and put inside jails. "We are closely watching how this conflict is being handled by the government. Let it be known, if this injustice continues, the Kuki-Zo Council will not remain a passive spectator," it said.

The NIA on Friday arrested three leaders of Kuki Zo communities for their alleged involvement in the attack on an Indian Reserve Battalion at border town Moreh in Tengnoupal district January 2024, in which two commandos belonging to the Meitei community died. Those included a leader of Kuki Inpi Tengnoupal, a leader of Kuki National Army, a rebel group and an associate of a "Village Volunteers Group." Kukis claim that the village volunteers took up arms to defend their villages against the Meiteis. Most of them have been shifted out to Guwahati for investigation.