Curfew Defied, Violence Erupts: In Manipur, Arambai Tenggol’s bandh against a key arrest has triggered intense confrontations with security forces. Protesters have blocked roads, burned property, and directly attacked law enforcement, plunging five districts into further chaos and a communication blackout.
BY PC Bureau
Imphal, June 9, 2025 – Manipur’s Imphal Valley is reeling under its second day of a 10-day shutdown, called by the Meitei group Arambai Tenggol. The bandh, protesting the June 8 arrest of their self-proclaimed “army chief,” Asem Kanan Singh, by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), has seen widespread defiance of curfews and violent confrontations with security forces. This escalating unrest further destabilizes Manipur, a state already grappling with ethnic violence since May 2023 and under President’s Rule since February 2025.
The second day of Arambai Tenggol’s shutdown brought widespread protests across five districts: Imphal East, Imphal West, Thoubal, Kakching, and Bishnupur, all of which are under curfew. In an attempt to curb misinformation and unrest, internet and mobile data services, including VSAT and VPN, have been suspended for five days, effectively plunging the state into a communication blackout.
Arambai Tenggol members led protesters onto the streets, resulting in clashes with security forces in multiple areas, including Kwakeithel and Uripok in Imphal West. Demonstrators reportedly burned tires, furniture, and vehicles, including a bus transporting central forces, in Imphal East.
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In a significant escalation, Arambai Tenggol supporters allegedly attacked security personnel. Reports indicate that a major and an Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP) were assaulted.
Angry protesters blocked roads in multiple locations in Imphal valley. In defiance of prohibitory orders, protestors dug up roads to hinder security movement on Monday. Security forces responded with tear gas shells, leaving at least 11 people injured, news agency PTI reported. pic.twitter.com/JktwRttxeD
— Jon Suante (@jon_suante) June 9, 2025
Assault on ASP Wangkhomba Okramcha
One notable incident on June 9 saw ASP Wangkhomba Okramcha and his escort attacked in Nambol Thongkha. ASP Okramcha, accompanied by the district SP, was patrolling Tiddim Road (NH-150) when their convoy encountered a barricade of burning tires, wooden planks, and debris, set up by protesters reportedly led by Arambai Tenggol supporters.
As the security convoy approached, the crowd began pelting stones and using slingshots. ASP Okramcha exited his vehicle to de-escalate, but the situation quickly escalated. Protesters turned violent, assaulting Okramcha and one of his escorts. The ASP fell to the ground, and his escort sustained a head injury, likely from a stone. While initial reports suggested a service weapon was snatched, police later clarified it may have fallen from its holster. A local women’s group from Nambol recovered and returned the weapon to the Nambol police station, preventing further escalation.
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To disperse the aggressive crowd, security forces deployed tear gas shells, mock bombs, and live rounds. No fatalities were reported, but the incident highlighted the volatility of the protests. Authorities have registered a case and are working to identify and apprehend those responsible for the assault.
State at a Standstill
The bandh has paralyzed life in the Imphal Valley, with deserted roads, shuttered shops, and halted public transport. Protesters have blocked key routes, including the road to Imphal Airport, anticipating Singh’s transfer out of the state. Arambai Tenggol’s slogans, such as “We are civilians, not terrorists” and “Release our leader or arrest us all,” reflect their defiant stance against state authority.
The assault on ASP Wangkhomba Okramcha and the ongoing protests underscore the precarious security situation in Manipur. Arambai Tenggol’s ability to mobilize large-scale demonstrations and challenge state authority highlights the group’s growing influence and the administration’s struggle to restore order. The CBI’s arrest of Asem Kanan Singh, while aimed at addressing criminal activities linked to the 2023 violence, has triggered a volatile backlash that threatens further escalation.
As Manipur grapples with curfews, internet blackouts, and road blockades, the government faces the dual challenge of enforcing law and order while addressing the underlying ethnic and political grievances fueling the unrest. Without a concerted effort to bridge divides and restore trust, Manipur risks remaining trapped in a cycle of violence and instability.
