Now Manipur Police up in arms against Arambai Tenggol: What is the radical Meitei group?

THE MANIPUR Police on Thursday came out against the radical Meitei outfit Arambai Tenggol, accusing it of committing “many anti-social activities and criminal activities”. This came a day after police commandos in various valley districts laid down their arms in protest against the abduction of a senior police officer by members of the group.

“AT (Arambai Tenggol) is engaging in many anti-social activities like assaulting civilians, snatching of vehicles from public/government officials. They are also indulging in extortion from the common public and businessmen… Public must not be misled and give cooperation to Manipur Police in bringing peace and tranquillity back to the State,” read the police statement, accusing the Arambai Tenggol of “garnering false support from the public in the garb of protecting the public.”

It added that “with Manipur police being targeted, the need for calling in Army and Other Central Forces will have to be enhanced”.

This was a rare instance of pushback against the organisation, which shot to prominence after the violence between the Meitei and Kuki groups began last May. In January, more than 30 MLAs across party lines, as well as Minister of State for External Affairs and Inner Manipur Lok Sabha MP Rajkumar Ranjan Singh and Rajya Sabha MP Leishemba Sanajaoba, had gathered for a meeting in Imphal upon “summons” from Arambai Tenggol.

Chief Minister N Biren Singh was among those who later signed a document containing demands of the group.

Subsequently, senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh claimed that the party’s legislators had been attacked at the meeting.

Formed as a socio-cultural outfit in 2020, the Arambai Tenggol has come to prominence since the Meitei-Kuki conflict began in Manipur nine