Tensions have escalated and fresh reports of violence have jolted Manipur’s capital Imphal. This comes after the arrest of Arambai Tenggol leader Kanan Singh. Dramatic scenes unfolded on Saturday night as several young protesters doused themselves with petrol. They threatened to self-immolate in protest if Singh was not released.

Reports of fresh violence swept across multiple valley districts. This has prompted authorities to impose curfews and suspend internet services in five districts. This includes Imphal East, Imphal West, Thoubal, Kakching, and Bishnupur to contain the unrest. The trigger for the violence was unconfirmed reports. This indicates that Singh, a suspended head constable and a key figure in the February 2024 attack on a senior police officer’s home, had been taken into custody.

Protestors threaten to Burn themselves

Angry demonstrators, mostly young men from the Meitei volunteer group Arambai Tenggol, poured onto the streets. They clashed with security forces, torching tyres, and setting buses ablaze. Gunshots were reported in Kwakeithel, adding to the chaos, and a bus was set on fire in the Khurai Lamlong area of Imphal East. Security personnel responded with tear gas and baton charges, resulting in at least one casualty.

The Meiteis have been battling floods in which Arambai tenggol playing a significant role by helping civilians promptly and even central forces.

Now, just after signing of the SoO agreement with kuki terrorists in Assam, GoI starts arresting Arambai Tenggol!!! https://t.co/gl0scanqHP

— Meckley zindabad!! (@LongLiveManipur) June 8, 2025

Fearing that Singh would be flown out of the state, a huge contingent of demonstrators set up an overnight blockade outside the Imphal Tulihal airport. Men wearing black shirts were seen holding gasoline bottles while yelling slogans and making death threats in videos taken from the protest site. “We gave up our weapons and helped during the floods. Now you’re arresting us? We’ll die,” one protester was heard saying.

Additional forces deployed in Manipur

Under the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), authorities issued prohibitory orders that prohibited both public gatherings and the carrying of weapons in key areas and important locations. Additional forces were deployed near Raj Bhavan and other vulnerable zones.

To protest the arrest, the Arambai Tenggol group has called for a ten-day shutdown in the valley districts. A cultural organization at first, the Arambai Tenggol group has been connected to multiple violent incidents during the ongoing ethnic conflict between the Kuki and Meitei communities. Since May 2023, the violence has claimed the lives of over 260 people.

The unrest comes amid a larger crackdown by security forces, who continue to conduct search operations and arrest members of banned outfits across the state. As Manipur reels under recurring waves of violence, concerns are rising over the fragile law-and-order situation and deepening ethnic divisions.