Imphal, Feb. 3 -- Hundreds of Meira Paibis, the women's vigilante group in Manipur staged night-time protests across the Imphal West district on Sunday, demanding the immediate and unconditional release of arrested Village Volunteers (VVs) and members of Aranbai Tengol (AT), a Meitei socio-cultural organization.

The protests erupted after security forces arrested three AT members and six Village Volunteers from the Imphal West and Thoubal districts, who have since been remanded to judicial custody.

Holding torches and placards, the demonstrators marched through the streets and alleys, chanting slogans like, "We want peace, release the arrested ATs and VVs without any condition at the earliest." Some placards read, "Without VVs and ATs, ...