Key Roads Blocked As Local Clubs, Meira Paibi Call 48-Hour Manipur Bandh Against Arrest Of 5 Youths

Local clubs and Meira Paibi units have called for a 48-hour band in the state of Manipur against the arrest of five youths who were nabbed by police for carrying weapons.

A state-wide bandh has been called in Manipur for 48 hours from midnight seeking the release of five youths who were arrested by the state police for carrying weapons and sporting camouflage uniforms. News agency PTI reported that at least five local clubs and Meira Paibi units have announced the bandh blocking several important roads at Khurai and Kongba in Imphal East district, Kakwa in Imphal West district, Nambol in Bishnupur district and parts of Thoubal district demanding the release of the youths.

As per the report, Manipur police had arrested five persons on Saturday for carrying sophisticated weapons and sporting camouflage uniforms. Police said that the youths were produced before the judicial magistrate and remanded to police custody, the agency stated quoting a statement.

Meanwhile, president of All Langthabal Kendra United Clubs Coordinating Committee, Yumnam Hitler, said, "The five arrested youths are civilians and village volunteers who have been guarding their respective villages from attacks by Kuki Zo militants as security forces have failed to do their job properly. We want them to be released unconditionally."

"The agitation will be intensified if the government fails to release them," he added.

Agitators on Saturday tried to storm the Porompat police station demanding the release of the five youths forcing the security forces to fire several rounds of teargas shells. PTI mentioned that several protesters and a RAF personnel received minor injuries during the scuffle.

This comes as the northeastern state tries to move ahead with peace after months of violence leading to mass violence. The clashes took place between the Kuki and Meitei communities after the latter took out a march in early May.

On Monday, the Manipur government constituted a One Man Inquiry Commission to ascertain the facts and circumstances that led to the abduction and killing of the soldier Sepoy Serto Thangthang Kom. The lifeless body of the Indian Army soldier was discovered on Sunday in the Khuningthek village, situated in Manipur's Imphal East district.

The inquiry commission will be headed by IPS Themthing Ngashangva. The final report on the inquiry will be submitted within a month, read the government order. The lifeless body of an Indian Army soldier was discovered on Sunday in the Khuningthek village, situated in Manipur's Imphal East district.