Violent Protests Erupt in Manipur After Six Arrests

Imphal: Security forces arrested six suspected militants on September 19 near Chawangkining village in Manipur’s Kangpokpi district. The CoBRA CRPF unit took Seilet, Manglen, Satho, Lenlal, Gin, and Chuchung into custody near Kholep village. Locals identified the men as the arrested group.

Crowds swarmed toward Chawangkining village to demand the release of the detainees. Security forces cut them off. Irate mobs then blocked the Imphal-Dimapur National Highway at multiple spots, including Kangpokpi bazar and Motbung. They set fire to tires and debris to halt the movement of reinforcements. One senior security officer stated, "Additional security forces have been deployed, but at around 9 pm all the additional security forces and commuters are blocked at Motbung, Kangpokpi district. We are trying to control the situation."

Social media footage shows a mob attacking a security Casspir truck. The vehicle was left half-burned as it attempted to flee the scene. This unrest follows an arson attack on September 16, where unidentified gunmen torched five homes in the Naga Liangmai village of Chawangkining.

Violence between Naga and Kuki communities has claimed roughly 30 lives since clashes started on February 7. Friction intensified after a twin ambush on May 13 killed four people across Kangpokpi and Noney. Tensions remain high following the discovery of six mutilated bodies of Nagas previously held by Kuki militants.