Manipur Shuts Internet After Meitei Leader’s Arrest

Imphal, June 9, 2025:

Following the arrest of Asem Kanan Singh, the self-styled “army chief” of the Meitei group Arambai Tenggol, internet and mobile data services have been suspended for five days in five districts of Manipur’s Imphal Valley: Imphal East, Imphal West, Thoubal, Kakching, and Bishnupur. The CBI said in a statement that Singh was arrested on Saturday night at the Imphal airport and transported to Guwahati for his involvement in “various criminal activities related to Manipur violence in 2023.”

Widespread protests broke out in Imphal East and West after the arrest, with demonstrators blocking roads and setting old furniture and tyres on fire in places like Kwakeithel and Uripok. A group of protesters allegedly threatened to burn themselves alive by dousing themselves in petrol in one concerning incident. To disperse the crowds, security personnel used tear gas and occasionally fired shots. To restore order, curfews and prohibition orders have been implemented in the five valley districts.

The internet, including VSAT and VPN services, was suspended in order to stop hate speech, inflammatory content, and misinformation from spreading on social media, according to an official order signed by Home Commissioner N. Ashok Kumar. Despite the crackdown, protests have persisted, with reports of demonstrators burning cars and violating curfews, as well as MLA delegations pleading with the governor.