Guwahati: The Manipur Police have arrested two members of the radical armed group Arambai Tenggol from capital Imphal. This socio-cultural group of Meitei youth has been found to be operating like a militia in the state since the ethnic conflict broke out last year.
Besides actively fighting against the Kuki-Zo community, the Arambai Tenggol had allegedly looted arms from the state police armouries during the initial days of the conflict. Earlier in January, the group had issued diktats to the Meitei legislators and parliamentarians, summoning them for a meeting at Kangla fort.
A case has been registered against the two Arambai Tenggol members — Kangabam Lenin Singh (43) and Toijam Shantikishore (50), Manipur Police confirmed via a post on social media.
The police have recovered an INSAS rifle from their possession along with a magazine and 16 rounds of live ammunition. Besides, a .38 pistol and a magazine along with three live ammunition were also recovered. A Maruti gypsy used by the two Arambai fighters has been seized by police.
On 10.07.2024, Manipur Police arrested 02 (two) individuals from Nambul Mapal, Paona Bazar. They are identified as i. Kangabam Lenin Singh (43) and ii. Toijam Shantikishore (50), both Arambai Tengol, and from their possession the following items were recovered:
i.01 (one) INSAS… pic.twitter.com/KnthrRaHKZ
— Manipur Police (@manipur_police) July 10, 2024
Security sources told ThePrint that the strength of Arambai Tenggol had increased from about 1,000 cadres to over 60,000 in a span of three months since the conflict began. Sources also informed that of the 5,000-6,000 “looted weapons” from the state armouries, only 2,200 have been recovered, so far in joint operations by state and central security forces.
The Meitei radical group is said to be operating about 65 units, including two mobile units for offensive operations, security sources said.
During the first phase of Lok Sabha elections in April, incidents of gun shots, booth-capturing and destruction of electronic voting machines (EVMs) kept Manipur tense with reports of people being injured in attacks by “armed miscreants” in the valley areas.
Over the months, the role of Arambai Tenggol has extended from protection of Manipur’s territorial integrity to social work including flood rescue and relief operations, and blood donation programmes that have found support from the community.
Earlier, in March, local media in Imphal reported about the Ningthemcha Karong Meira Paibi Lup, a group of revered Meitei womenfolk, appealing to the state government to refrain from taking action against the Arambai Tenggol volunteers. The group had stated that “the aggression of armed Kuki militants had compelled these youth to take up the responsibility to protect the unity and integrity of their motherland”.
As the ethnic conflict ebbs and flows in the hills and valley of Manipur, there have been allegations of Meira Paibis supporting armed Meitei militia by obstructing access routes of central security forces, particularly the Assam Rifles, while carrying out ground operations.
Last month, in a one-on-one interview with ThePrint at his Imphal residence, Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh also voiced support for the Arambai Tenggol, clarifying that it is “a cultural organisation, which got drawn into the unrest”. However, he also added that they can be convinced to give up arms “if the protection of the state’s territorial integrity is ensured by the Centre and the state government”.
“They are the youth of Manipur, not anti-nationals. I have repeatedly clarified — when their villages were attacked by militants armed with AK47 rifles, they (Arambai Tenggol) were walking around with sticks in hand. There’s still time… We can console them. I am trying to console them saying prevention and protection will be done by the state government and central government,” the CM had said.
Early June, the Uttra Sanglen, the religious office building or darbar of the titular king Leisemba Sanajaoba, expressed gratitude to the volunteers of Arambai Tenggol for their work during floods in Imphal. Also, late last month, Meitei womenfolk from localities in Imphal West provided ration to the Arambai Tenggol units in Imphal East district, local media reported.
Also read: ‘Parallel govt’? How radical Meitei group Arambai Tenggol got so powerful it now ‘summons’ MLAs, MPs
5 Kuki-Zo men arrested earlier this week
The arrests come shortly after five Kuki-Zo men were arrested by security forces two days prior. The Kuki-Zo civil society bodies led by the apex group, Kuki Inpi, have demanded “unconditional release” of the five individuals who were arrested during joint combing operations in Tamenglong and Kangpokpi districts by state and Central Security forces.
On Wednesday, the Kuki Inpi had called a 12-hour total shutdown in their respective areas, terming the arrests “arbitrary and highly partial against the Kuki-Zo people”. The Kuki Inpi even warned of more protests if they were not released.
On Monday, Manipur police arrested two individuals from Phaitol Village, Tamenglong District. They were identified as Lunjakap Guite and Kaplal Singson. Two single barrel firearms (SBBL), a .303 Rifle and a pumpi bomb were recovered from their possession, police informed over social media platforms.
On 08.07.2024, Security Forces arrested 02 (two) individuals from Phaitol Village, Tamenglong District. They are identified as:
i. Lunjakap Guite and ii. Kaplal Singson.
Further from their possession the following items were recovered:
i.02 (two) SBBL Guns, ii. 01 (one) .303…
— Manipur Police (@manipur_police) July 9, 2024
The next day, joint security forces of Manipur Police and CRPF launched an operation at L. Hengjol village under New Keithelmanbi police station in Kangpokpi District and arrested three others believed to be cadres of an “underground outfit”. They were identified as Thangjoel Haokip, Jangjoulen Khongsai and Jangminlun Singson.
Police said the operation was carried out “on the basis of an intelligence shared by National Investigation Agency (NIA)”.
The arrested persons and seized weapons were later handed over to the NIA for necessary legal action, the police statement read.
Also Read: After fresh violence in Manipur’s Moreh, CM Biren Singh points to Myanmar’s Kuki insurgents