GUWAHATI: Mass protests reportedly broke out across multiple districts in Manipur on Friday after Assam Rifles detained 26 village volunteers on Friday, February 21.
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The arrests, which occurred in Kakching district, were based on allegations of involvement in criminal activities. However, all detainees were reportedly released later in the day following intense public demonstrations.
The detentions came shortly after Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla issued a directive urging people to surrender illegal weapons within a week, warning of severe consequences for non-compliance.
As news of the arrests spread, demonstrators, including members of Meitei vigilante groups like Meira Paibis, reportedly attempted to obstruct security operations. Tensions escalated further when it was discovered that some of those taken into custody were students preparing for their board exams. In response to mounting public outrage, authorities promptly released them along with the rest of the detainees.
The protests turned increasingly intense, with demonstrators setting fire to tyres and wooden barricades in several districts, including Imphal East, Imphal West, Thoubal, and Bishnupur. Businesses and marketplaces in key areas such as Wangkhei-Andro parking, Khurai (Imphal East), and Uripok and Canchipur (Imphal West) shut down as part of the demonstrations, as per reports.
In Moirang Bazar, protestors reportedly demanded the unconditional release of those arrested, while later in the evening, Meira Paibis led rallies across the valley, calling for an end to the detention of village volunteers.
Security forces remain on high alert, closely monitoring the situation as tensions persist in the region.