On the night of 7 June 2025, protests broke out across the Imphal valley in Manipur after Asem Kanan Singh, a leader of the Meitei group Arambai Tenggol, and four others were arrested. The CBI said it held Singh in connection with the 2023 ethnic violence and took him to Guwahati. The administration, then under President's Rule, imposed prohibitory orders in five districts, with curfew in parts, and cut internet services. The group withdrew its 10-day shutdown on 10 June and internet was restored on 13 June.
Key takeaways
- The CBI says it arrested Arambai Tenggol leader Asem Kanan Singh at Imphal airport on 8 June 2025 over "criminal activities related to Manipur violence in 2023".
- Protesters burned tyres, a bus and part of a government office and clashed with security forces; about 20 people were hurt, per police, and no deaths were reported.
- Five valley districts came under prohibitory orders and an internet ban; the group withdrew its 10-day shutdown on 10 June and internet returned on 13 June.
Background: the conflict and President's Rule
Since May 2023, ethnic violence between the Meitei community of the Imphal valley and Kuki-Zo groups of the surrounding hills has killed more than 260 people and left thousands homeless Tribune/PTI.
The Centre imposed President's Rule on 13 February 2025 after Chief Minister N Biren Singh resigned. The Assembly, whose term runs to 2027, was put under suspended animation, and Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla headed the administration Tribune/PTI.
On Supreme Court directions the CBI investigates cases from the violence, with trials moved to Guwahati because of the law and order situation All India Radio.
What Arambai Tenggol is
Arambai Tenggol began in 2020 as a socio-cultural organisation for the protection of Meitei culture Deccan Herald. Claim · Security officials It is accused of taking up arms against Kuki-Zo people during the conflict, and police officials told Deccan Herald that members looted weapons from police battalions on 4 May 2023 Deccan Herald.
Claim · Arambai Tenggol The group says it is a cultural organisation that was compelled to take up arms as "village volunteers" because law enforcement was ineffective in the early days of the violence Deccan Chronicle.
On 27 February 2025, after President's Rule began, the group surrendered 246 weapons to security forces. Two Kuki-Zomi groups, the Indigenous Tribal Leaders Forum and the Committee on Tribal Unity, dismissed the surrender as a move to "garner sympathy and legitimacy" Scroll.
The arrest and its basis
Accounts differ on time and place. The Hindu, as reported by Scroll, said a joint team of the NIA and Manipur Police arrested Singh in Imphal West on the evening of Saturday 7 June, and that the CBI arrested him on Sunday Scroll. The CBI's own statement said:
The CBI has arrested a member of Arambai Tenggol at Imphal Airport on June 8. He was involved in various criminal activities related to Manipur violence in 2023. He has been brought from Imphal to Guwahati, and he will be produced before the competent court for police remand.
CBI statement, 8 June 2025, via PTI
The CBI did not name him Free Press Journal. A senior CBI officer told The Tribune he was "wanted in multiple cases, including the attack on the house of Additional SP Moirangthem Amit and the officer's brief abduction in February 2024" Tribune.
Government's position Manipur Police said Singh, 46, was a head constable until he was terminated from service on 3 March 2025 "for his involvement in various criminal activities including cross-border smuggling of arms" UNI Morung Express/IANS. The four others were arrested by state police, according to BJP MLA Kh Ibomcha, who said officials told legislators they "did not have any CBI-related cases" Tribune/PTI.
Timeline
Arrest and first crowds
Hundreds of residents gathered in Kwakeithel, Imphal West, trying to stop the police convoy carrying Singh Scroll. Protesters gheraoed the Imphal airport gate at Tulihal and blocked the airport road to prevent him being taken out of the state Deccan Herald/PTI.
Arson and clashes
Tyres and old furniture were burned on roads in Kwakeithel and Uripok, and a bus was set on fire at Khurai Lamlong in Imphal East. Gunshots were heard in Kwakeithel; police said it could not be ascertained who fired Deccan Herald/PTI. Claim · Security sources Protesters stormed the Kwakeithel police outpost, and forces fired several rounds to disperse them; at least three people, including two journalists, were injured Deccan Chronicle.
Curfew and internet cut
Imphal East residents were barred from leaving home from 10 pm, and gatherings of five or more were banned under Section 163 of the BNSS Deccan Herald/PTI. Internet, mobile data, VSAT and VPN services were suspended in five districts for five days from 11:45 pm Onmanorama/PTI.
CBI statement, Governor's meetings
The CBI confirmed the arrest. Arambai Tenggol announced a 10-day bandh Free Press Journal. Near Kangla Gate, about 200 metres from Raj Bhavan, forces fired tear gas, and several young men poured petrol on themselves, threatening self-immolation Tribune. The Governor held a security review and met MLAs Free Press Journal.
Government office burned
Protesters set fire to the Sub-Divisional Collector's office at Yairipok Tulihal in Imphal East, partly damaging it and destroying records. Mounds of soil were piled on roads in Sekmai and Koirengei to stop security forces Deccan Herald/PTI.
Firing at Tera, policemen hurt at Nambol
An official said seven rounds from small firearms were fired at CRPF personnel clearing roadblocks in Tera, Imphal West. Two police personnel were injured at Nambol, Bishnupur, while clearing roadblocks, and an FIR was registered The Hitavada/PTI.
Shutdown withdrawn
Arambai Tenggol called off the bandh "with immediate effect" UNI. Daytime relaxation of the orders from 5 am to 5 pm followed Scroll.
Internet restored
The five-day order expired at 11:45 pm on 12 June and was extended by a late-night order to 6 am on 13 June, when services resumed UNI.
Curfew and internet suspension
The Imphal West district magistrate's order cited a police report of "serious breach to peace, disturbance to public tranquillity, riot or affray in the area, and grave danger to human lives and properties due to unlawful activities of anti-social elements" Deccan Herald/PTI.
The internet order, issued by Commissioner (Home) N Ashok Kumar, said there was "apprehension that some anti-social elements might use social media extensively for transmission of images, hate speech and hate video messages to incite the passion of the public" Deccan Herald/PTI.
Reports differ on the extent of the curfew. Scroll and Free Press Journal reported a total curfew in Bishnupur with gathering bans in the other four districts Scroll; IANS described an indefinite curfew in all five Morung Express/IANS. The government announced the reopening of educational institutions in Imphal West and Imphal East on 12 June, but most stayed closed as the situation remained tense UNI.
Both accounts
Arambai Tenggol and supporters
Protesters demanded Singh's unconditional release The Hitavada/PTI. His wife, Asem Guni, said he joined the "public defence effort at the onset of the ongoing ethnic conflict to protect the state and its territorial integrity" Tribune/PTI. A young man in a protest video said: "We have given up arms. We have done what you're supposed to do during the floods. Now you're arresting us. We will kill ourselves." Deccan Chronicle. Women's groups held torchlight processions in Khurai demanding a popular government Deccan Herald/PTI.
Police, CBI and Governor's administration
The CBI said the arrest was over 2023 violence cases it handles on Supreme Court directions All India Radio. Manipur Police said the CBI and NIA arrests "were related to their criminal activities" and appealed to the public not to support protests over "arrests of individuals involved in unlawful and criminal activities" UNI. After the MLAs' meeting, Raj Bhavan said "all necessary steps are being taken to address the situation and ensure normalcy returns to the state" Free Press Journal.
Political and community reaction
At least 20 MLAs from the BJP and Congress met the Governor on 8 June. Congress MLA Th Lokeshwar said Singh "was not picked up for being a member of Arambai Tenggol" and that they urged the release of all five Tribune/PTI. According to UNI, the Governor appreciated the group's role during floods that affected about 1.7 lakh people UNI.
In the same week the NIA arrested three Kuki-Zo men over a January 2024 attack in Moreh that killed two police commandos, and Kuki groups held protests and shutdowns in Tengnoupal UNI. Claim · Kuki-Zo Council The Kuki-Zo Council demanded release of at least six people held by the NIA and CBI and alleged that some Arambai Tenggol members had been released while Kuki-Zo members were jailed Deccan Herald.
Outcome
- Injuries: About 20 people, including security personnel, injured at more than ten places, per a police official Morung Express/IANS. No deaths reported in the sources reviewed.
- Arrests: An Arambai Tenggol member was held for allegedly firing at security personnel, and 19 others were detained over violence in Imphal Tribune/PTI. Two more were arrested on 12 and 13 June over the Nambol assault on two policemen Tribune/PTI.
- Shutdown: Withdrawn on 10 June. Spokesperson Robin Mangang said it was meant to "lessen the inconvenience faced by the people across the valley" and that "democratic" agitation would continue Scroll.
- Wider crackdown: By July 2025, at least 40 Arambai Tenggol members including Singh had been arrested since President's Rule began, central security sources told Deccan Herald Deccan Herald.
- Case status: No public report of a chargesheet, bail order or trial outcome in Singh's case was found as of October 2026.
Questions people ask
Who is Kanan Singh of Arambai Tenggol?
Asem Kanan Singh, also reported as Kanan Meitei, was described as the "army chief" of Arambai Tenggol. Police said he was a Manipur Police head constable until his termination on 3 March 2025.
Why did the CBI arrest him?
The CBI said he was involved in "various criminal activities related to Manipur violence in 2023". A CBI officer cited the February 2024 attack on Additional SP Moirangthem Amit's house and his abduction.
Which districts were under curfew and internet ban?
Imphal West, Imphal East, Thoubal, Bishnupur and Kakching. Reports describe curfew in Bishnupur and Imphal East.
Did anyone self-immolate?
No. Several men poured petrol on themselves and threatened self-immolation, which PTI described as symbolic protests. No self-immolation was reported.
How long was the internet off?
From 11:45 pm on 7 June to 6 am on 13 June 2025, a little over five days, according to PTI and UNI.
Sources
- All India Radio: CBI arrests Arambai Tenggol member at Imphal Airport, 8 Jun 2025
- The Tribune/PTI: Manipur MLAs call on Governor, claim Meitei outfit member among five arrested, 8 Jun 2025
- Deccan Herald/PTI: Prohibitory orders, net suspended in parts after Meitei leader's arrest, 8 Jun 2025
- Onmanorama: Manipur suspends internet in 5 districts, 8 Jun 2025
- Deccan Chronicle: Massive protests in Manipur after arrest of 5 volunteers, 8 Jun 2025
- Free Press Journal: CBI arrests Arambai Tenggol member in Manipur violence case, 8 Jun 2025
- Scroll: Curfew imposed in Bishnupur, public gatherings banned in four other districts, 8 Jun 2025
- The Tribune: Manipur erupts again after top Meitei leader's arrest, 9 Jun 2025
- Deccan Herald/PTI: Protests continue overnight in Manipur defying prohibitory orders, 9 Jun 2025
- UNI: Manipur Police on CBI and NIA arrests, 9 Jun 2025
- Morung Express/IANS: Curfew, shutdown cripple normal life in Manipur, 9 Jun 2025
- Deccan Herald: Former cop, now head of Meitei outfit, at centre of fresh unrest, 9 Jun 2025
- UNI: AT calls off ten-day strike in Manipur, 10 Jun 2025
- Scroll: Manipur relaxes prohibitory orders, Arambai Tenggol calls off shutdown, 10 Jun 2025
- Deccan Herald: Meitei, Kuki groups demand release of those arrested by CBI, NIA, 10 Jun 2025
- The Hitavada/PTI: Protests over arrest of Arambai Tenggol leader, 2 policemen injured, 11 Jun 2025
- The Tribune/PTI: Meitei man held for firing at security personnel, 19 detained, 12 Jun 2025
- UNI: Curfew relaxed for second day in five districts of Manipur, 12 Jun 2025
- UNI: Internet services restored in Manipur, 13 Jun 2025
- The Tribune/PTI: Five Meitei outfit members held for attacking 2 policemen, kidnapping man, 16 Jun 2025
- Deccan Herald: Crackdown on Arambai Tenggol intensifies in Manipur, 10 Jul 2025