Friday | Jun 20 2025 | 06:26:06 AM
New Delhi, June 9
Tension erupted in Manipur after a long halt from the previous ethnic violence. The mob allegedly set office of Sub-Divisional Collector (SDC) Office in Yairipok Tulihal, located under the Andro Kendra constituency in Imphal East district on fire on June 7 night.
The fire caused significant damage to official infrastructure and vital records, officials said.
The arson comes amid a larger wave of protests in parts of the Imphal valley, where demonstrators have been defying curfews imposed by the state government.
In a separate development, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) arrested 46-year-old Ashem Kanan Singh in Imphal. Singh, a former Head Constable of the Manipur Police, was dismissed from service on March 3, 2025, for his alleged involvement in criminal activities, including cross-border arms smuggling.
His arrest on June 7 sparked fresh protests. Following the incident, security has been tightened in the region to prevent any further escalation.
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has made key arrests in connection with the deadly ambush on security forces in Moreh, Tengnoupal district, on January 17, 2024. The ambush had resulted in the deaths of two police commandos and left several others injured.
In connection with the case, Thangminlen Mate, a member of the Kuki Inpi Tengnoupal (KIT), was arrested in Silchar, Assam, on May 19, 2025. Kamginthang Gangte, associated with the Kuki National Army (KNA), and Hentinthang Kipgen alias Thangneo Kipgen, linked to the Village Volunteers group in Churachandpur district, were arrested from Manipur on June 6.
Following these arrests, civil society organisations launched protests and shutdowns across Moreh and Tengnoupal on June 6 and 7, adding to the already volatile situation in the state.
In a statement, Manipur Police urged the public not to support individuals involved in illegal or criminal activities and called for cooperation in maintaining law and order.
