Reported by Bit Irom
Imphal: Meira Paibi (Women’s Vigilante) groups and local clubs on Saturday staged widespread sit-in protests across Manipur’s valley districts to condemn a recent bomb attack on an Imphal College principal and to demand the unconditional release of arrested former Arambai Tenggol (AT) members.
At around 2:00 am on June 20, 2026, unidentified individuals allegedly lobbed and detonated a bomb in the front yard of Imphal College Principal Mairembam Chandra’s residence near Sangaiprou FCI Road in Lampak.
In response, a joint protest was organised at the Sangaiprou Community Hall in Imphal West district by the Sangaiprou Apunba Nupi Lup, Sangaiprou Naharol Club, and Sangaiprou Youth Development Committee.
During the protest, the organisers strongly condemned the attack, noting the danger it posed to a family residence, and demanded immediate action to identify and apprehend the perpetrators.
Meanwhile, protests were also organised following the arrest of three former AT members, Mutum Naoba (31), Haorokcham Manaocha (29), and Kangabam Somanand (42), by security forces on various charges.
More than 10 Meira Paibi groups staged demonstrations at several locations, including Keishampat Leimajam Leikai, Kakching, and Mayang Imphal, demanding the unconditional release of the former volunteers.
Protesters argued that AT members had taken up arms solely in self-defence to protect Meitei civilians when security forces had allegedly failed to do so.
The protesters claimed that the former volunteers had surrendered their weapons during President’s Rule after being assured that no charges would be filed against them for their past actions.
In Thoubal district, Meira Paibi members staged a sit-in protest at the Thoubal Melaground Community Hall and warned of intensified agitations if the arrested members were not released unconditionally.