Founded in 2020 as a cultural outfit, Arambai Tenggol underwent a swift transformation into a radical organization, becoming one of two hardline Meitei groups suspected of involvement in the Meitei-Kuki clashes of May 2023.
In an unprecedented turn of events, Manipur's political landscape witnessed a significant gathering at Kangla Fort in Imphal as leaders from Arambai Tenggol, a radical Meitei group, summoned elected representatives for a crucial meeting on January 24, 2024. This meeting raised eyebrows, shedding light on Arambai Tenggol's emergence, transformation, and role in the Meitei-Kuki conflicts.
Founded in 2020 as a cultural outfit, Arambai Tenggol underwent a swift transformation into a radical organization, becoming one of two hardline Meitei groups suspected of involvement in the Meitei-Kuki clashes of May 2023. Alongside Meitei Leepun, Arambai Tenggol armed itself during the conflict, rapidly expanding its membership and earning accusations from Kuki groups and security establishments of playing a leading role in the violence.
Arambai Tenggol, which surfaced in Manipur during the early 2020s, professes to champion the interests of the Meitei, the predominant ethnic group in the state. Initially conceived as a cultural outfit in 2020, Arambai Tenggol swiftly evolved into a radical organization, gaining notoriety amid ethnic violence that erupted in Manipur on May 3, 2023. The group, along with Meitei Leepun, played a central role in orchestrating mass violence, leading to clashes with the Kuki-Zo community and tribal settlements across the state.
Wearing distinctive black shirts featuring an image of Meitei cavalry in red, armed cadres of Arambai Tenggol reportedly engaged in destructive raids on tribal villages. During the May 2023 violence in Imphal, the group allegedly orchestrated the burning of tribal properties and lynching of civilians, contributing to a humanitarian crisis. Reports indicate that Arambai Tenggol, with the alleged backing of the ruling party and links to Meitei-linked terrorist organizations, acquired arms looted from state armouries.
The group's rise to prominence involves strategic recruitment, including former militants and disaffected youth, who joined the ranks. Social media served as a platform for Arambai Tenggol to pass on propaganda, attempting to radicalize the Meitei population and recruit impressionable young individuals.
Crucially, Arambai Tenggol's ascent is intricately linked to its alleged ties with the Manipur state government. Reports suggest that the group enjoys the patronage of Chief Minister N. Biren Singh and Rajya Sabha MP Leishemba Sanajaoba. The group's Facebook page displays images of its members interacting with the chief minister, emphasizing the close ties. Additionally, volunteers reportedly took oaths at Sanajaoba's residence, highlighting the symbiotic relationship between Arambai Tenggol and the political establishment.
The Manipur government's purported mobilization of Meitei youths, fueled by a campaign against the Kuki community, raises questions about Arambai Tenggol being utilized as a tool for a majoritarian agenda. The group's expeditions in tribal lands, coupled with the lack of condemnation or actions against them by the government, underscore their alignment with state interests.
Notably, Arambai Tenggol's true colors became apparent through actions such as conducting surveys to profile residents and marking houses of Kuki-Zo tribals, leading to targeted attacks. Despite substantial evidence of the group's involvement in violence and witness testimonies, the government has refrained from condemning Arambai Tenggol or taking concrete actions against its members.
In essence, Arambai Tenggol's journey from a purported cultural outfit to a radical force intertwined with state politics underscores the complex dynamics shaping Manipur's socio-political landscape. The group's actions have ignited concerns about the use of such entities as instruments of political agendas, leaving a profound impact on the region's stability and communal harmony.
Arambai Tenggol faced allegations of targeting the Naga community, with a reported incident involving the alleged shooting of a 57-year-old Naga woman in June the previous year. Suspected involvement in a gunfight with Assam Rifles just before Home Minister Amit Shah's visit to Manipur in June 2023 added to the group's controversial actions.
A total of 37 legislators from the Manipur Legislative Assembly and two Members of Parliament took a solemn Oath before the shrine Eputhou Pakhangba, proclaiming allegiance to the integrity and unity of Manipur State. Administered by Arambai Tenggol, the event has sparked both intrigue and criticism. The Arambai Tenggol, responsible for convening the gathering, has issued a 15-day ultimatum to the 37 legislators and 2 MPs, setting the deadline for their compliance with the group's demands to be February 8, 2024.
The post-meeting scenario revealed Arambai Tenggol's strength and legitimacy. The group claimed that Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh, though absent, and other representatives were made to sign a set of demands, emphasizing the need to pressure the Central government to act on these issues.
The six-point demands presented during this unprecedented meeting were not only avowed before the shrine but also conveyed earlier to AK Mishra, Advisor to the Ministry of Home Affairs and Interlocutor for talks with Kuki groups. This occurred during a meeting in Imphal on the 22nd of January, where Mishra led the MHA's three-member special team, including Rajesh Kumble, Joint Director of SIB Manipur, and Mandeep Singh, Joint Director of SIB New Delhi. The demands encapsulate contentious issues that challenge the existing socio-political landscape of Manipur.
The six-point demands include a call for the implementation of the National Register of Citizens in Manipur, emphasizing 1951 as the basis year. Additionally, the group demands the annulment of the Suspension of Operation agreement with Kuki-Zo underground groups. The demand for transferring Myanmar refugees/Infiltrators seeking refuge in Manipur to Mizoram Refugee Detention Center is met with further controversy. Arambai Tenggol insists on initiating the fencing of the Indo-Myanmar border and advocates for the withdrawal of Assam Rifles from Manipur, proposing replacement by Central Forces. The group also pushes for the revocation of Scheduled Tribe status for illegal Kuki-Zo immigrants.
The meeting between Manipur's legislators and Arambai Tenggol holds substantial regional repercussions, casting a shadow on the fragile stability of northeastern India. Arambai Tenggol, having emerged as a radical force with alleged ties to the Manipur state government, has allegedly contributed to ethnic violence, particularly targeting the Kuki-Zo community. The demands put forth during the meeting, including the delisting of Kukis from the Scheduled Tribes list and the withdrawal of Assam Rifles, reflect contentious issues that intertwine regional identities and security concerns. The ultimatum set by Arambai Tenggol adds a sense of urgency, potentially influencing the socio-political landscape not only in Manipur but across neighbouring states. The implications of this meeting extend beyond state borders, with the possibility of heightened tensions and communal discord. As northeastern India grapples with a delicate balance of diverse ethnicities and historical grievances, the outcome of these developments may reverberate across the region, challenging the efforts towards peace and stability. As the group navigates its radical path, the outcomes of this meeting and the subsequent actions taken by the political representatives will shape the trajectory of Meitei-Kuki relations and Manipur's socio-political landscape.