Imphal: Five members of the Meitei outfit Arambai Tenggol have been arrested in connection with separate incidents of attacking police personnel and kidnapping a man in Manipur, officials confirmed on Monday.
Three of the accused were detained on Sunday in relation to the abduction of Chesam Abdul Kadar from the Paobitek Mayai Leikai area in Imphal West district.
They were presented before a district court and remanded to seven days in police custody. Authorities are continuing their search for other individuals implicated in the case.
Separately, another member of the outfit was apprehended on June 12 for allegedly assaulting a senior police officer and another personnel during a protest at Nambol Bazar in Bishnupur district on June 9.
The officers were injured while attempting to disperse demonstrators supporting a bandh called by Arambai Tenggol.
A fifth member was taken into custody on June 13 in connection with the same case.
The arrests come amidst heightened tensions in Manipur, where protests have erupted despite prohibitory orders.
Demonstrators across several districts of Imphal valley have clashed with security forces, demanding the unconditional release of Arambai Tenggol leader Kanan Singh and four others.
Authorities have urged the public, especially the youth, to refrain from unlawful activities, emphasizing the potential legal and career consequences.
Manipur continues to grapple with ethnic violence between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities, which has claimed over 260 lives and left thousands homeless since May 2023.
The situation led to the imposition of President’s Rule in February, following the resignation of Chief Minister N. Biren Singh.
The state assembly remains under suspended animation, with its tenure lasting until 2027.
