Guwahati/Imphal: Armed young men in camouflage are finding it increasingly difficult to evade security forces in Manipur as pressure mounts on the Arambai Tenggol, a radical group of Meitei youth.
On Tuesday, Manipur Police arrested three armed Arambai members on charges of extortion and threatening the public. Further, the National Investigation Agency’s (NIA) recent cases implicating the group’s chief, Korounganba Khuman, have also intensified scrutiny, leading to arrests and a crackdown on their operations.
In a statement on social media, the police also announced the detention of a juvenile along with the arrest of the three adults from Imphal East district. The adults, identified as Ningombam Lemba Singh, Mangshatabam Poireinganba Meitei, and Laishram Bidyas Singh, are all in their early 20s. The police also recovered arms and ammunition from their possession, including a Ghatak rifle with a magazine and five live rounds, a country-made .32 pistol with a magazine, and other items.
On 01.12.2024, Manipur Police arrested 03 (three) armed miscreants and apprehended 01 (one) juvenile from Kshetrigao Sabal Leikai, Imphal East District who were found loitering in the area to commit prejudicial activities like extortion of money from general public and government…
— Manipur Police (@manipur_police) December 2, 2024
The socio-cultural group of Meitei youth has been found operating like a militia in the state since the ethnic conflict broke out last year. Thousands of youngsters had enlisted in the Arambai Tenggol, including students who allegedly took up arms. The group is said to be operating more than 65 units, including two mobile units for offensive operations, security sources told ThePrint. Besides actively fighting against the Kuki-Zo community, the Arambai Tenggol allegedly looted arms from the state police armouries during the initial days of the conflict.
Sources also informed that of the around 5,000-6,000 “looted weapons”, only about 3,000 have been recovered so far in joint operations by state and central security forces. A majority of the 6.64 lakh looted ammunition still remains untraceable.
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Arambai chief under security lens, Meira Paibis protest
The Supreme Court’s transfer of at least two NIA cases from Imphal to Guwahati has brought Arambai Tenggol chief Korounganba Khuman under the radar. The NIA is currently investigating the cases involving attacks on police forces and the looting of arms, in which Khuman has been named for his involvement.
The Supreme Court, on 26 November, transferred eight criminal cases filed by the NIA to its Special Court in Guwahati, Assam. Among these, two cases have implicated Korounganba Khuman for allegedly leading armed groups in violent incidents in Imphal last year, according to a copy of the transfer petition obtained by Imphal Free Press.
The first case, registered on 9 February, 2024, states that Khuman allegedly led a group of armed men on 1 November, 2023, with sophisticated weapons, sticks, and other deadly tools. The group, dressed in camouflage, police uniforms and black shirts, assembled at the Palace Compound in Imphal East, responding to a Facebook post by Khuman calling for action. When stopped by Imphal East Police, the group allegedly fired at officers, overpowered them, and proceeded through Sanjenthong Bridge towards Imphal West in multiple vehicles. The charges include various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, the Official Secrets Act, and the Arms Act.
The second case filed on the same date accuses Khuman of leading another armed group to attack the 1st Manipur Rifles Battalion in Imphal. The group, also in police uniforms and camouflage, allegedly looted arms and ammunition after ransacking government property. The attackers fled the scene following reinforcements from security forces, including the Assam Rifles and CRPF.
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) had earlier ordered the NIA to investigate these incidents. On 30 November, authorities arrested 25-year-old Mutum Rajesh Singh, reportedly linked to both cases, and investigation is on.
Meanwhile, Khuman continues to draw support from a section of people including the Meira Paibis (Meitei women protesters) who staged sit-in protests across Imphal East and West Sunday, condemning the NIA filing criminal cases against him. Protesters claimed that the Arambai Tenggol group took up arms to protect villagers when government forces failed to shield them from what they described as attacks by “Kuki militants”.
At least 13 Meira Paibis groups from the Heingang area have urged the government not to arrest Khuman, asserting that members of Arambai Tenggol are Meitei village volunteers.
Arambai members held for assault
Earlier last month, Manipur Police had arrested an Arambai Tenggol member identified as Khullem Sanjeep (30) alias Bhim for his involvement in the brutal assault of two Naga men from Senapati district in the early hours of 31 October at Lamsang area. He has been remanded to police custody. But the group denied its involvement in the incident, and released a statement, accusing members of the Kangleipak Communist Party (KCP) insurgent group of assaulting the two Poumai individuals.
In May, Manipur Police arrested two members of the Arambai Tenggol “who were involved in the abduction and physical assault” of four police personnel.