Five leaders of All-Tribal Student’s Union Manipur (ATSUM) arrested last week were released from Manipur’s Shajiwa Jail on Monday after the police submitted a closure report in court citing insufficient evidence.
The leaders released were Paotinthang Lupheng, Andria Sinruwang, Khaiminlen Doungel, Marankhai Awungshi and John H Pulamte. They were picked up by Imphal West district police on August 2 ahead of a proposed bandh called by ATSUM to press for tabling and passage of the Manipur (Hill Areas) ADC Bill, 2021 recommended by the Hill Areas Committee (HAC).
Following their arrests, the BJP-led government in Manipur passed the Manipur (Hill Areas) District Council (sixth amendment) Bill, 2022 in the state assembly on Friday despite opposition by the tribal organisations including ATSUM.
On the other hand, the Manipur (Hill Areas) District Council (seventh amendment) Bill, 2022 was referred to HAC citing technical error.
The same day, tribal organisations, who were already protesting against the arrest of ATSUM leaders, declared a blockade of national highways passing through the hill districts thus severely affecting supply of essential goods from reaching the Imphal valley.
On Saturday, over two dozen people were injured at Chinmeirong in Imphal West district when police tried to disperse a rally by tribal organisations demanding release of the ATSUM leaders.
The state home department suspended mobile internet services across Manipur for five days the same day stating that “anti-social elements were using social media to transmit hate speech and incite passions of the public”.
Following their arrests, the police had told the court the five ATSUM leaders had indulged in criminal conspiracy by calling a blockade. It was alleged that the accused persons criminally conspired to impose an economic blockade in the hill districts of Manipur and circulated statements created fear among people and disturbed public peace.
However, on Monday, the investigating officer submitted a closure report stating that the evidences collected during the course of investigation, it is advised to discharge the accused persons from the liability of the case on the ground of insufficiency of evidences and in the interest of justice.
While the ATSUM leaders were released from jail around 6:30pm on Monday, there’s no decision yet on lifting the blockade of highways and the state government has also not made any announcement on ending suspension of mobile internet services across the state.