Hundreds of Meira Paibis from Kwakeithel to Ghari Makha Leikai in Imphal West staged a sit-in protest on Thursday at the Kwakeithel Community Hall, near the All Manipur United Clubs’ Organisation (AMUCO) office, demanding an immediate end to what they termed as the “selective” detention of Arambai Tengol volunteers.

The protest was jointly organised by Kwakeithel Apunba Meira Paibi, Naran Konjil Meira Paibi, and other local units. Protesters held placards expressing solidarity with the detained Arambai Tengol members and demanded their unconditional release. The women activists urged the government to stop arresting volunteers one by one and, if necessary, detain all involved at once rather than resorting to targeted action.

Similar demonstrations were held across Imphal, including at Singjamei Parking, Singjamei Waikhom Leikai, Chingamakhong Khurai Puthiba Nandeibam Leikai, Lairikyengbam Leikai Khunou, and Koirengei.

Protesters maintained that Arambai Tengol volunteers had taken up arms last year solely to defend Manipur’s territorial integrity amid ethnic violence, but surrendered their weapons in good faith following an appeal by the Governor in the final week of February. They accused the government of rekindling tensions by arresting the group’s alleged fighting commander, Ashem Kanan, through the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

In response to Kanan’s detention, Arambai Tengol initially called for a ten-day bandh but suspended it on June 10 to reduce public inconvenience. The group stated it would instead pursue democratic forms of protest until the detained members are released.

While Thursday’s sit-in ended peacefully, the organisers warned of intensified agitation if the government fails to cease its ongoing crackdown on what they described as “young volunteers who have already laid down arms in trust.”