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Journalism of Courage
Almost all of the Meitei MLAs in Manipur as well as Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha MPs representing valley areas of the state were at Kangla Fort of Imphal morning to meet the leaders of radical Meitei group Arambai Tenggol on Wednesday (January 24) morning.
The development came after Arambai Tenggol issued “summons” to “all the ministers and MLA belonging to the valley districts at Kangla at 10 am”, according to a statement by the Superintendent of Police, Imphal West.
Thousands of volunteers from the group had gathered in Imphal on Wednesday, ahead of the meeting, and the elected representatives began arriving at Kangla by around 9:30 am. The meeting ended at around 11 am.
Here is a look at Arambai Tenggol and why the meeting was conducted.
According to sources, Arambai Tenggol started in 2020 as a cultural outfit, but soon transformed into a radical organisation. It is one of the two hardline Meitei organisations suspected to be involved in a large number of Meitei-Kuki clashes, which broke out in May 2023. The other group is Meitei Leepun.
Both the organisation had armed themselves and their membership grew rapidly during the conflict, sources had told The Indian Express. They have been accused by the Kuki groups and the security establishment of playing a leading role in the violence.
Arambai Tenggol has also been accused of targeting Naga community members. For instance, a 57-year-old Naga woman was allegedly shot dead by the group in June last year in Imphal East district.
The organisation was also suspected to be involved in a gunfight with a unit of Assam Rifles just before Home Minister Amit Shah visited Manipur in June 2023.
The Indian Express on Wednesday reported that the meeting was organised to discuss the demands of Arambai Tenggol. The demands included delisting of Kukis from the Scheduled Tribes list, deportation of refugees to camps in Mizoram, border fencing, replacement of Assam Rifles with other paramilitary force and revoking Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement between the Centre and Kuki militant groups.
It was reported that the meeting was concluded after the representatives at the spot took an oath. Subsequently, Arambai Tenggol leader Korounganba Khuman addressed a large gathering at Khwairamband Ima Market, where he claimed that the representatives, including Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh who was not present, were made to sign a set of demands and told to pressure the Central government to translate them into action.
While Arambai Tenggol maintained a shadowy presence at the beginning of the conflict, the developments on Wednesday showcased the strength and legitimacy for the group.
