Protesters in Manipur valley districts after police arrest village volunteers

NEW DELHI: Imphal valley in Manipur once again became the epicentre of protests as demonstrators blocked roads and set tires on fire, retaliating to the arrest of several village volunteers in Kakching district.

In an early morning operation in Panjao Pallumda, security forces detained more than ten volunteers, transferring them to a camp in Phundrei, Thoubal district, news agency PTI reported, quoting officials.

Protests spread across multiple districts, including Imphal East, Imphal West, Thoubal, and Kakching. Demonstrators forced the closure of markets and roadside shops in several areas of Imphal, including Wangkhei, Uripok, Thangmeiband, and Khurai.

The unrest erupted just a day after governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla urged residents to surrender looted and illegally held weapons within seven days, warning of "strict action" if the deadline was ignored.

Meanwhile, security forces have intensified their crackdown on insurgent groups, arresting 17 militants from various banned outfits in the last 24 hours, police said on Friday.

Among them, 13 militants from the banned Kanglei Yawol Kanna Lup (KYKL) outfit were apprehended on Thursday in Moirang Kiyam Leikai, Bishnupur district. Police also recovered 27 cartridges, three walkie-talkie sets, camouflage uniforms, and other tactical gear. The arrested individuals were taken to Imphal for further investigation.

Additionally, a member of the banned United National Liberation Front (P) was arrested from Ngariyan Ching in Imphal East district on Thursday. The individual was involved in extortion activities, police said.

Tensions remain high in Manipur as security forces continue operations in the conflict-hit state.

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