Ukhrul: In a major development, Manipur Police apprehended an Arambai Tenggol member, a 30-year-old Khullem Sanjeep, also known as Bhim, a resident of Naoremthong DC Road, on Sunday for his alleged involvement in the recent assault on two Naga youths from Senapati district. The incident occurred on October 31 in the Lamsang area of Imphal West district. Following his arrest, Sanjeep has been remanded to police custody for further investigation, Manipur police said.
The arrest follows a 24-hour shutdown in Senapati district, organized by the Naga People’s Organisation and frontal civil bodies such as Senapati District Women Association (SDWA), and Senapati District Students’ Association (SDSA) of the Naga district, in protest against the assault.
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Earlier, on Friday, Manipur Police also detained Senjam Suraj Meitei, a 25-year-old son of S. Nilakomol Meitei and an alleged cadre of the proscribed Kangleipak Communist Party (KCP), in connection with the assault and looting of the two youths. Several local organizations have condemned the attack, urging authorities to take swift and strict action against those involved.
Following the incident of robbery and physical assault on the two Poumai youths, the Senapati district’s civil organizations enforced an immediate 24-hour shutdown starting from 4 p.m. on November 2, restricting all commercial vehicular traffic beyond Senapati District Headquarters. Approximately 100 loaded trucks, including army vehicles, were stranded near the Mao Gate border town as part of the protest.
The Taragi Cheishu, an advisory body, has condemned the brutal assault and robbery of two individuals from the Poumai tribe by unidentified miscreants. The incident, which occurred in Imphal West, involved the theft of over Rs. 60,000 from the Naga victims.
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The 24-hour shutdown that began at 4 pm on Saturday concluded peacefully at 4 pm on Sunday, with no reported incidents during the bandh.
As the district frontal organizations continue to advocate for the rights and protection of their community, they announced an indefinite restriction on commercial vehicular movement beyond the Senapati headquarters. They called for continued public support as they pursue their democratic agitation.
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It is worth mentioning the Arambai Tenggol in a notice issued on Thursday, following the incident, had denied any involvement of its Unit 18 on the October 30 episode. The AT maintained that they, upon identifying the duo as Poumai Naga from Senapati were let go without any harm. It also alleged that KCP (Ibungo Ngangom) members are responsible.