Imphal: Women vendors at Khwairamband Ima Keithel shut down the historic market on Tuesday. They demanded the immediate release of detained Arambai Tengol members. The National Investigation Agency recently made these arrests, triggering a wave of anger across the valley.
Protesters claimed the government guaranteed no arrests would follow if militants handed over illegal weapons. They followed those terms, but the government ignored its pledge. The mood turned sour fast. Demonstrators held signs asking officials where their promises went. One sign read, "How can people trust future appeal, if today promise are ignored"
Participant L. Mema Devi called the crackdown a mistake. She argued that village volunteers only armed themselves because the state failed to protect them during the crisis. She urged the agency to stop targeting these groups while the region tries to heal.
Mema Devi warned that the community will launch tougher protests if the detainees stay in custody. The National Investigation Agency has kept quiet so far. Business remains stalled as the standoff continues.
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