New Delhi: The Manipur Police Tuesday arrested one of their own personnel—a constable—for allegedly targeting security forces by pelting stones, using slingshots, violence, vandalism of public property and vehicles, and arson along National Highway 2 (Imphal–Dimapur road).
Thoudam Gojendro Singh, a Meitei, was part of the ongoing protests that began after an infant and a toddler were killed by a rocket-like projectile in Bishnupur district on 7 April. This was followed by the killing of three civilians in firing by the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) after a mob allegedly tried to attack their post and snatch weapons. Since then, the state has continued to grapple with fresh waves of violence and street protests in the valley.
Police sources said Singh was not in uniform and was participating in the protests in plain clothes. Speaking to ThePrint, a senior police officer said that Meitei policemen aligning along ethnic lines and joining protests to support their community “is unacceptable”. However, the officer added that this is not entirely unprecedented.
“We arrested two people, including a policeman, for causing violence at Koirengei crossing, NH2 in Imphal east district. They were burning debris on the road and targeting security forces by pelting stones and using slingshots,” the officer said.
On 21.04.2026, Manipur Police arrested 02 (two) residents of Tingri Makha Leikai who were causing violence at Koirengei crossing, NH-02 (Imphal–Dimapur Road), Imphal East district by burning debris on road, and targeting security forces by using slingshots and pelting of stones:… pic.twitter.com/mAxx4al5sw
— Manipur Police (@manipur_police) April 21, 2026
The officer said that the men also vandalised public property, raised slogans and were seen inciting violence by encouraging others to join. The officer added that, in targeting security forces, the personnel had effectively turned against his own force—the Manipur Police, amounting to dereliction of duty.
“We have seen such cases in the past, where policemen were found either participating in protests or favouring their community on both sides (Kukis and Meiteis). The force must remain completely impartial and ensure law and order, irrespective of community,” the officer said, adding that strict action has been taken.
A divide between Kuki and Meitei personnel within the force is not new. In fact, soon after the violence first broke out in the state in May 2023, it hampered combing operations to retrieve looted arms. In fact, amid the violence, more than 1,500 Meitei and Kuki policemen mysteriously went missing in early May 2023, only to reappear in police stations close to their homes days later.
The Kuki officers assigned to the Meitei-dominated Imphal valley retreated to the hills, while Meitei officers stationed in Kuki areas refused to return, which exacerbated the divide.
Such was the rift that the complaints from Kukis about their burnt villages in the valley were allegedly not registered in Imphal, where Meiteis dominate the police stations. Similarly, cases filed by Meiteis regarding losses in Kuki-dominated areas were allegedly not addressed there. Instead, numerous zero First Information Reports (FIRs) were filed, pending investigation. Zero FIRs are filed irrespective of the police station the alleged crime was committed under.
On Sunday, markets and shops remained closed in parts of Manipur due to the shutdown called by the Meitei civil society groups and the Joint Action Committee (JAC) formed in response to the killings of the children, whose bodies are still lying at the morgue as part of the protest.
As the protests turned intense, the Manipur Police had to resort to lobbing of tear gas shells and even lathi charge. On Sunday, former Manipur chief minister N. Biren Singh took to X to say: “I am deeply concerned by reports of tear gas being used in the vicinity of hospitals and residential areas, causing distress to ordinary citizens. Such actions must be handled with utmost restraint and sensitivity, and these spaces must remain protected at all times.”
A spokesperson for the Meitei Heritage Society had told ThePrint Sunday that Meiteis are angered by the Bishnupur killings and its aftermath. “People have lost trust. Until a proper investigation is not done into the matter, we have refused to take the bodies of our children,” he had said.
The spokesperson said the 7 April incident led to fresh protests by Meitei groups demanding a proper investigation. The protesters took to the streets on the night of 18 April, the spokesperson said, adding that security forces used “excessive force”.
(Edited by Nardeep Singh Dahiya)
Also Read: Night marches, tear gas & violence—Manipur protests intensify over killing of 4-yr-old & baby sister