Controversial Arambai Tenggol Meets Manipur Governor; Submits Memorandum

In a latest development of Manipur crisis, members from the Meitei private militia group - 'Arambai Tenggol,' including its chief Korounganba Khuman, today called on Manipur’s Governor, Ajay Kumar Bhalla, and submitted a memorandum at Raj Bhawan, Imphal.

The Arambai Tenggol representatives also reportedly held discussions with the Governor regarding the prevailing situation in Manipur, which lasted for nearly an hour.

After the meeting, the self-style PRO of Arambai Tenggol, Robin Khwairakpam, told media persons in Imphal that the Governor has assured them complete peace after deposition of looted or illegal arms and ammunition, and expected to restore normalcy soon with free passage to national highways.

Robin also said that an understanding has been reached with the Governor of Manipur, the agreed points of which would be made available to the public later.

The memorandum submitted by the militia group was in line with the one earlier submitted to the Governor, which includes: Border Fencing; implementation of NRC with 1951 base year; no arrest or legal action against Village Volunteers, including Arambai Tenggol, by any commissions, tribunals, or courts; abrogation of the Suspension of Operation (SoO) and stringent action against SoO-violating militants; amendment of the MLR & LR Act 1960 for equal implementation in both hill and valley; withdrawal of ST status from illegal immigrants; inclusion of Meitei in ST category, deportation of all illegal immigrants to their native places; and complete destruction of poppy plantations.

After Arambai Tenggol's meeting with Governor Ajay K. Bhalla came out in public, Raj Bhavan faces public backlash from the Kuki-Zo community for engaging with criminals whom the NIA is probing for heinous crimes including arms loot cases.

Social media users slam the Governor for meeting with the alleged radicalized armed outfit (Arambai Tenggol), wanted for looting of thousands of arms from the State Armories, and responsible for killing of hundreds of innocent civilians, as a complete mockery of Indian constitution and the rule of law.

NIA Probing Arambai Tenggol Chief:

Interestingly, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) is investigating two cases of attacks on police and arms loot in strife-torn Manipur involving the chief of Arambai Tenggol (AT), a radical Meitei group, accused by Kuki-Zo groups of orchestrating attacks on the community since the start of ethnic violence in May 2023.

The two cases against Korounganba Khuman, the controversial leader of the outfit, are among the eight cases related to the Manipur violence that were shifted from the special NIA court in Imphal to Guwahati on the orders of the Supreme Court in November 2024.

According to the NIA, Khuman led a group of AT cadres “armed with sophisticated weapons, sticks and other deadly weapons” wearing police uniforms and camouflaged dresses came in several vehicles and assembled at the Palace Compound in Imphal East district around 5:30 pm on November 1, 2023.

The mob had gathered following Khuman’s post on Facebook, which when translated from Meitei, meant “please come all brave brothers, let us teach them a final lesson today”.

"When they were stopped by the Imphal East police at the palace gate, the group fired at police, overpowered the local police and proceeded through Sanjengthong bridge towards Imphal West side in many light vehicles,” NIA said in its FIR.

The second case against Khuman was a continuation of incidents related to the first one on November 1, 2023. According to NIA, the AT chief and his supporters went to the northwestern gate of the 1st Manipur Rifles (armed battalion) and ransacked government offices and belongings including vehicles and looted the arms and ammunition from the 1st Manipur Rifles battalion.

"After the arrival of reinforcement of security forces including civil police, Assam Rifles and CRPF, the assailants escaped with arms and ammunition looted from security personnel,” the FIR said.

Both cases were lodged by NIA in February 2024.

The FIR charged Khuman and his associates with armed rioting, obstructing public servants, snatching, robbery, criminal conspiracy, terrorist act, looting of firearms from police/security force and unauthorised use of police/defence uniform.