Imphal/Guwahati: In Manipur, as demands for justice in the brutal assault on two Naga men in Senapati district grew louder, police Sunday said they had arrested a member of the radical group Arambai Tenngol in connection with the case.
In a statement posted on X, Manipur Police said the individual, 30-year-old Khullem Sanjeep alias Bhim, was found to be involved in the assault, without giving details. He was identified as a member of the Arambai Tenngol and is currently in police custody, it added.
On 31 October, the two Naga men—V. Hrangao Blesson of Kodom Khullen village and Dalou Poumai of Liyai Khullen village, in Senapati district—were allegedly assaulted by members of a unit of the Arambai Tenngol in the Imphal West area.
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. It 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 had allegedly looted arms from the state police armouries during the initial days of the conflict.
On 1 November, the group denied its involvement in the assault on the Naga men and the Arambai unit released a statement accusing members of the Kangleipak Communist Party (KCP) insurgent group of assaulting the two Poumai individuals. The same day, Manipur Police arrested a KCP cadre, identified as Senjam Suraj Meitei (25), for his alleged involvement in the assault and looting at Lamsang.
On Friday, three Naga organisations— the Naga People’s Organisation (NPO), the Senapati District Students’ Association (SDSA) and the Senapati District Women’s Association (SDWA)—issued a 48-hour ultimatum demanding justice for the two men. They followed this with another 24-hour shutdown. No untoward incident was reported during the entire period of shutdown that ended 7pm Sunday.
In a press release Sunday, the NPO alleged that besides physical assault, a sum of Rs 61,400 was seized from the two individuals at gunpoint. “Despite the gravity of the incident, there has been no attempt by the responsible Civil Society Organisation (CSO) representing the involved community to mediate or redress the issue,” the statement said.
In July, Manipur Police arrested two members of Arambai Tenggol from capital Imphal and recovered arms and ammunition from their possession.
(Edited by Sanya Mathur)