Imphal: Tensions flared at the New Checkon Traffic Point in Imphal on Monday. Protesters gathered at 11 am to demand the immediate re-arrest of seven Kuki villagers released by the CRPF late Saturday night, September 20, 2026. The sit-in, organised by the New Checkon Bazar Nongpok Engkhol Meira Paibi Lup, drew internally displaced persons from Sugunu, Moreh, Churachandpur, Napat, and Moirangpurell.
Trouble started September 19 when CoBRA unit personnel detained seven villagers near Kholen/Kholep village and Chawangkining. Mobs later swarmed the area. They chased security vehicles, threw stones, lit fires, and dug up sections of National Highway-2 near Motbung and Kangpokpi. Security forces deployed tear gas to break up the chaos. The seven men were released at midnight to calm the situation. The Kuki Inpi Manipur condemned the initial detentions as “arbitrary arrests” during a time of intense conflict.
Protesters displayed placards calling for equal legal enforcement. They grilled the government on why petrol bomb attacks against security vehicles go unpunished and why highway blockades are tolerated. Huidrom Malini, secretary of the organizing group, accused state and Central leaders of failure. She argued that the government handles suspects selectively and ignores the plight of displaced families trying to return home. Malini stated that officials allowed some individuals to walk free while others languish in jail. She called the release of the detained villagers unacceptable.
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