MHA's meeting Arambai Tenggol raises "grave apprehensions" in resolving the protracted ethnic crisis in Manipur says Kuki apex body

The apex body of the Kuki tribes, the Kuki Inpi Manipur, or the KIM, conveyed its profound disturbance over the recent meeting between representatives of the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Arambai Tenggol amid the persisting turmoil in the state - a situation largely orchestrated allegedly by the latter, considered a radicalized influential Meitei group.

A special team of MHA headed by AK Mishra landed on a special charter flight from Delhi at Imphal airport on Monday afternoon at around 5:30 pm and straight away from the airfield met with the Arambai Tenggol leaders at the residence of Rajya Sabha MP Leishemba Sanajaoba.

The MHA's special team comprising Advisor AK Mishra, Joint Director IB, Mandeep Singh Tuli, and Joint Director SIB Imphal, Rajesh Kumble was reportedly sent by Union Home Minister Amit Shah barely a few days after the Arambai Tenggol summoned a meeting of all Meitei MLAs and MPs at Kangla on January 24.

The group had demanded the compulsory attendance of all the Meitei MLAs and MPs or face the consequences while it had also warned that none of the MLAs and MPs should resign before the January 24 meeting, amid speculation about the possible resignation of the Chief Minister and MLAs in the social media and some mainstream media.

The Arambai Tenggol's leader, Korounganba Khuman, after the meeting with the MHA team, shared on his Facebook the specific demands raised during the meeting.

The demands include strict NRC in the state with 1951 as the base year, abrogation of the SoO agreement with the Kuki militants, deportation of all Myanmarese refugees to Mizoram, border fencing, removal of Assam Rifles and replacement with other central forces, and delisting Kukis from the ST list.

Alleging that it was founded and spearheaded by Rajya Sabha MP, Leishemba Sanajaoba under the patronage of Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh, the Kuki Inpi Manipur stated that the Arambai Tenggol is the principal architect of the ongoing alleged state-sponsored, and pre-planned ethnic cleansing campaign against the Kuki-Zo people.

It also alleged that Arambai Tenggol bears direct responsibility for the alleged gruesome massacre of over 160 Kuki-Zo, the deliberate incineration of more than 200 Kuki-Zo villages, resulting in the forced displacement of over 41,425 people owing to the complete obliteration of their homes and possessions.

The Kuki apex body further alleged that Arambai Tenggol is illegally in possession of more than 6000 sophisticated weapons and a significant stockpile of ammunition, purportedly provided by the Manipur state Government while the group is acknowledged for harboring Valley-Based Insurgent Groups, or the VBIGs under its banner.

KIM then stated that the unsettling meeting raised "grave apprehensions" regarding the MHA's strategy for addressing the protracted ethnic crisis, now spanning eight months.

Furthermore, it seems fitting for the Ministry of Home Affairs to take decisive action against terrorist organizations like Arambai Tenggol, its patrons, and sympathizers, given the multitude of anti-constitutional activities perpetrated by the organization that is responsible for the rape, mutilation, and immolation of hundreds of Kuki-Zo people, stated KIM.

The Kuki Inpi Manipur also implored the Ministry of Home Affairs to not only scrutinize the alarming situation but also to proactively bring an end to the reign of terror imposed by entities such as Arambai Tenggol, its supporters, and those sympathetic to its alleged chauvinistic cause.

While conveying its unwavering trust in the Government of India to safeguard the Kuki-Zo community from the oppressive dominion of the alleged radical Meitei leadership, the Kuki Inpi Manipur stated that firm in our conviction, the Kuki-Zo leadership stands resolute, prepared to ardently safeguard our collective dignity and unwavering integrity to the utmost extent.

In the face of potential threats to our community's well-being, we stand united, poised to confront any challenges that may jeopardize the cherished values and identity of the Kuki-Zo people, it added.