Manipur Arambai Tenggol Member Arrest Clash Case

In February 2025, Manipur Police arrested Konsam Ratan, a leader of the Meitei radical group Arambai Tenggol, along with several members, on charges of inciting violence and illegal weapons possession. The arrests triggered large protests in Imphal, where supporters clashed with security forces, resulting in multiple injuries and property damage. Authorities imposed a curfew and suspended internet services to control the situation. The case highlights the deep ethnic divide between the Meitei and Kuki communities, with the arrests seen by many as a politically motivated crackdown on Meitei activism. The legal proceedings are ongoing.

The trial is in progress; the accused remain in judicial custody. No final verdict has been delivered as of mid-2025.

The main controversies revolve around the legality of the arrests, whether the charges were politically motivated to undermine the Meitei movement, and the classification of Arambai Tenggol as a terrorist organization versus a community defense group.

The incident further polarized Meitei and Kuki communities, led to heightened security measures across Manipur, and drew national attention to the state's ongoing ethnic strife. It also sparked debates on civil liberties and the use of anti-terror laws against ethnic organizations.