Imphal, June 9 (UNI) Manipur Police informed that the arrests carried out by CBI and NIA in the state evoking widespread protests were related to their criminal activities.
Police said on Monday that the CBI and the NIA have issued press releases regarding the arrests.
Ashem Kanan Singh was arrested by CBI in Imphal, Manipur. He was a head constable in Manipur Police till he was terminated from service on March 3, 2025, for his involvement in various criminal activities, including cross-border smuggling of arms.
He was arrested for his criminal activities, which include several acts of grave nature and involvement in unlawful activities and criminal cases registered against him, police said.
Following his arrest, protests erupted on the night of June 7 in Manipur. Manipur police and security forces brought the situation under control.
In the corresponding period, NIA has arrested three insurgents in a case related to a deadly attack on security forces that had killed two police commandos and injured several others in Moreh, Tengnoupal district, on January 17, 2024.
One Thangminlen Mate, a member of Kuki Inpi Tengnoupal (KIT) insurgent group, was apprehended on May19, 2025 in Silchar, Assam.
Two other accused who were part of the team who executed the deadly attack, namely Kamginthang Gangte, a member of the Kuki National Army (KNA), and Hentinthang Kipgen @ Thangneo Kipgen, associated with the Village Volunteers group in Churachandpur district, were arrested by NIA on June 6, 2025, in Manipur, police said.
In connection with the above arrests, protests/rallies were held and shutdowns imposed by some Kuki organisations in Tengnoupal and Moreh and the Tengnoupal district.
Manipur Police appealed to the public and peace-loving citizens not to support the call for such protests in connection with the arrests of individuals involved in unlawful and criminal activities. Manipur Police as such is putting all its efforts in maintaining peace and tranquillity in the state, it further said.
As the arrests were carried out by central agencies, information was not immediately available. Manipur Governor, after a meeting with MLAs on Sunday, assured to get in touch with the concerned authorities to know the details.
Kh. Ibomcha MLA, who met the governor, said the arrest of Kanan was not related to the organisation Arambai Tengol. The Arambai Tengol leader, Kanan, was arrested for other reasons by CBI, Ibomcha said.
The Governor appreciated the role of Arambai Tengol for its role in saving the lives and property of the people during the Manipur flood, which affected about 1.7 lakh people.
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