Manipur Internet Ban Extended As CBI Arrests 4 For Killing 2 Youths. Tribal Groups Announce Bandh — Updates

Manipur government on Sunday extended the internet ban for an additional five days as the CBI arrested four people in connection with the kidnapping and killing of the two students.

Members of Arambai Tenggol, a Meitei organisation, during a demonstration against the alleged brutality by security forces in violence-hit Manipur. ( Image Source :PTI )

New Delhi: The internet ban in Manipur has been extended for an additional five days with immediate effect. The internet ban will be in effect till October 6. The internet ban was initially re-imposed on September 16 after violent protests erupted in the northeast state over the brutal murder of two students. Although the ban was lifted on September 23, the Manipur government re-imposed it two days later, citing concerns over the potential spread of rumours through social media platforms.

PHOTO | The internet ban in Manipur has been extended for an additional five days with immediate effect; now in effect until October 6. pic.twitter.com/YgECdgIGNJ

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) October 1, 2023

This comes as the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) arrested four people in connection with the kidnapping and killing of the two students, Chief Minister N Biren Singh said, adding his government will ensure stringent punishment for them, PTI reported. The four, including the wife of the main accused, were taken “outside the state” by a special flight, the chief minister said. However, he did not disclose where they were taken.

According to PTI, officials of the chief minister’s secretariat stated that two minor girls were also detained in connection with the case but they were later released. They are the daughters of the main accused, PTI quoted the government officials as saying.

Addressing a press conference, CM Singh said, ““The CBI arrested four people from Henglep area of Churachandpur district for the murder of the two youths. They were outside the state by a special flight.”

Taking to X, CM Singh wrote, “As the saying goes, one may abscond after committing the crime, but they cannot escape the long hands of the law. We are committed to ensuring maximum punishment, including capital punishment, for the heinous crime they have committed.”

Notably, a team of CBI officials, led by Special Director Ajay Bhatnagar, reached Manipur earlier this week to start the investigation.

Manipur Arrests: Bandh Call In Churachandpur 

In response to the arrests and the subsequent release of the girls, several tribal organisations have called for bandhs of varying durations starting from Monday.

On Sunday night, a substantial number of protesters congregated in the vicinity of the Churachandpur Police Station to vehemently protest against the arrests and advocate for the immediate release of the individuals involved.

The Indigenous Tribal Leaders Forum (ITLF), a coalition of recognised tribal groups in Manipur, has taken a particularly assertive stance. They have called for an indefinite shutdown commencing at 10 am on Monday, within the Churachandpur district, PTI reported. Furthermore, the ITLF has demanded the unconditional release of the detainees within a 48-hour timeframe. 

In a statement, the ITLF declared, "All boundary areas with the Meitei will be sealed from tomorrow. No one will be allowed to enter or leave the buffer zones. All government offices will be closed from tomorrow."

Echoing these sentiments, the Churachandpur-based Joint Students Body (JSB) has also entered the fray. They have called for a 12-hour shutdown within the district, set to begin at 6 am on Monday, PTI reported.